Do Functional Movement Screens Predict Body Composition Changes after Resistance Training?

Area of Science:

• Exercise Science
• Oncology
• Biometrics

Background:

• The Function Movement Screen (FMS) is widely used but not yet established for breast cancer (BC) patients starting exercise.
• Assessing FMS in BC survivors is crucial for safe and effective exercise prescription.
• Individuals with BC share anthropometric similarities with the general population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between FMS scores and anthropometric biomarkers in women with breast cancer before an exercise program.
• To determine if baseline FMS scores predict changes in anthropometric markers following a structured exercise regimen.

Main Methods:

• 112 women with BC participated in a 3-month, thrice-weekly, dose-escalated exercise program.
• The program included multi-joint compound movements and resistance training for hypertrophy.
• FMS scores and anthropometric markers were measured before and after the intervention.

Main Results:

• Baseline FMS scores showed significant correlations with all measured anthropometric markers.
• These correlations were consistent with findings in non-cancer populations.
• Baseline FMS scores did not predict changes in anthropometric markers post-intervention.

Conclusions:

• The FMS can serve as a useful pre-participation screening tool for individuals with breast cancer.
• FMS results can inform exercise prescription for this population.
• Future research should explore FMS predictive power for weight loss outcomes in BC survivors.