Functional Movement Screen Detected Asymmetry & Normative Values Among College-Aged Students
Craig R Triplett1, Bryan S Dorrel2, Matthew L Symonds3
1Black Hills State University.
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
|April 12, 2021
Summary
Participating in multiple sports and seasons in high school correlates with better Functional Movement Screen (FMS™) scores and fewer asymmetries, potentially reducing injury risk in college athletes.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Biomechanics
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- The Functional Movement Screen (FMS™) is widely used to detect movement dysfunctions in athletes.
- Research on normative FMS™ data and asymmetry prevalence in college students is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- Establish normative FMS™ scores for university students.
- Determine the frequency of FMS™ asymmetries.
- Investigate the relationship between high school sports participation (seasons and variety) and FMS™ asymmetries.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 100 university students who completed the FMS™ and a sports participation survey.
- FMS™ total scores and asymmetries (defined as unequal right/left scores) were assessed.
- Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, Shapiro Wilk, and Mann Whitney U tests using SPSS.
Main Results:
- Significant positive correlations were found between the number of sport seasons/sports played and total FMS™ scores (r=.286, p<0.01).
- Participants without FMS™ asymmetries reported playing significantly more sports seasons and a greater variety of sports compared to those with asymmetries (p=0.047).
Conclusions:
- Extensive high school sports participation (multiple sports and seasons) is associated with higher FMS™ total scores.
- Increased sports participation may lead to fewer movement asymmetries, potentially lowering the risk of future injuries.
