Functional Movement Screen Items Predict Dynamic Balance Under Military Torso Load

Development of an Abbreviated Model for Predicting Functional Movement Screen Score Within Tactical Populations

ABSTRACT

Thompson, MB, Johnson, QR, Lindsay, KG, and Dawes, JJ. Development of an abbreviated model for predicting functional movement screen score within tactical populations. J Strength Cond Res 38(3): 607-611, 2024-The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a tool commonly used to identify compensations when performing 7 specific movement patterns. Timely administration of the full FMS is largely dependent on the practitioner's familiarity and experience with the screening battery. When working in populations that are time-poor (i.e., tactical professionals), administration of the full movement pattern battery is not always feasible. The purpose of this study was to determine which, if any, combination of movement patterns that comprise the FMS could be used to predict total score on this screen among first responders. Functional Movement Screen scores for 99 male subjects (mean ± SD; age: 37.55 ± 9.83 years; height: 180.38 ± 6.59 cm; and body mass: 97.87 ± 15.32 kg) and 9 female subjects (age: 33.22 ± 3.99 years; height: 172.11 ± 8.19 cm; and body mass: 83.99 ± 14.09 kg) from a single law enforcement and fire agency were used for this analysis. Subjects performed the full FMS, which consisted of the following movement patterns: deep squat (DS), hurdle step (HS), in-line lunge (ILL), shoulder mobility (SM), active straight leg raise (ASLR), trunk stability push-up (PU), and rotary stability (RS). A stepwise regression was used to determine the best predictors of the FMS 7-pattern model based on the model's R2. Cronbach's alpha and Guttman's lambda-2 were used to determine the reliability of the proposed models. The regression indicated that a 4-pattern model consisting of DS, ILL, SM, and PU was sufficient to predict approximately 84% of the full model (adjusted R2 = 0.84, p ≤ 0.001). This 4-pattern model was shown to be reliable with the 7-pattern model (α = 0.93, λ = 0.93). Using this modified version of the FMS may allow practitioners working in tactical populations a time-efficient method of identifying dysfunctional movement and determine whether the full 7-pattern model of the FMS should be considered.

Peak performance and cardiometabolic responses of modern US army soldiers during heavy, fatiguing vest-borne load carriage

INTRODUCTION

Physiological limits imposed by vest-borne loads must be defined for optimal performance monitoring of the modern dismounted warfighter.

PURPOSE

To evaluate how weighted vests affect locomotion economy and relative cardiometabolic strain during military load carriage while identifying key physiological predictors of exhaustion limits.

METHODS

Fifteen US Army soldiers (4 women, 11 men; age, 26 ± 8 years; height, 173 ± 10 cm; body mass (BM), 79 ± 16 kg) performed four incremental walking tests with different vest loads (0, 22, 44, or 66% BM). We examined the effects of vest-borne loading on peak walking speed, the physiological costs of transport, and relative work intensity. We then sought to determine which of the cardiometabolic indicators (oxygen uptake, heart rate, respiration rate) was most predictive of task failure.

RESULTS

Peak walking speed significantly decreased with successively heavier vest loads (p < 0.01). Physiological costs per kilometer walked were significantly higher with added vest loads for each measure (p < 0.05). Relative oxygen uptake and heart rate were significantly higher during the loaded trials than the 0% BM trial (p < 0.01) yet not different from one another (p > 0.07). Conversely, respiration rate was significantly higher with the heavier load in every comparison (p < 0.01). Probability modeling revealed heart rate as the best predictor of task failure (marginal R², 0.587, conditional R², 0.791).

CONCLUSION

Heavy vest-borne loads cause exceptional losses in performance capabilities and increased physiological strain during walking. Heart rate provides a useful non-invasive indicator of relative intensity and task failure during military load carriage.

Risk of Single and Multiple Injuries Due to Static Balance and Movement Quality in Physically Active Women

BACKGROUND

Static balance is a reliable indicator of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, which is a basis for movement stabilization development. The disorders in this area may increase injury risk (IR). This study investigated the musculoskeletal injury risk due to static balance and movement quality regarding single and multiple injury occurrences in physically active women.

METHODS

The study sample was 88 women aged 21.48 ± 1.56. The injury data were obtained with a questionnaire, and Deep Squat (DS), In-line lunge (IL), and Hurdle Step (HS) tests were conducted. Static balance was assessed with a stabilometric platform measured center of gravity area circle (AC) and path length (PL) with open (OE) and closed eyes (CE), maintaining a standing position for the 30 s.

RESULTS

The logistic regression models revealed the general injury occurrence was predicted by AC-CE (OR = 0.70; p = 0.03) and IL (OR = 0.49; p = 0.03), and the two-factor model AC-CE*IL, (OR = 1.40; p < 0.01). When the single injury was predicted by the same factors AC-CE (OR = 0.49; p < 0.01), IL (OR = 0.36; p = 0.01), and AC-CE*IL (OR = 1.58; p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Static balance and movement stability predict musculoskeletal injury risk alone and in one model. A further study is needed to verify the efficiency of indicated factors in prospective terms. Using both quantitative and qualitative tests could be helpful in IR prediction.

Relationship between Health-Related Physical Fitness Parameters and Functional Movement Screening Scores Acquired from a Three-Dimensional Markerless Motion Capture System

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between five algorithm-derived functional movement screening scores (i.e., readiness, explosiveness, functionality, dysfunction, and vulnerability) obtained from an innovative three-dimensional markerless motion capture system (3D-MCS) and some of the key health-related physical fitness parameters such as maximal aerobic capacity (VO₂max), body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BF%), waist and hip circumferences (WC and HC), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). BF% showed a weak positive correlation with vulnerability and moderate-to-strong negative correlations with readiness, explosiveness, and functionality scores. Similarly, but opposite to BF%, VO₂max showed a weak negative correlation with vulnerability and moderate-to-strong positive correlations with readiness, explosiveness, and functionality scores. BMI, WC, and HC showed moderate negative correlations with vulnerability, readiness, and functionality scores, while HDL-C showed a weak positive correlation with vulnerability and a weak negative correlation with explosiveness scores. Therefore, it appears that 3D-MCS may be used a as a non-invasive testing alternative or in conjunction with currently implemented traditional testing modalities to provide health practitioners with additional information regarding some of the key health-related physical fitness parameters, especially within non-academic environments such as wellness and clinical settings.

Injury Prevention Exercises for Reduced Incidence of Injuries in Combat Soldiers

ABSTRACT

Steinberg, N, Bar-Sela, S, Moran, U, Pantanowitz, M, Waddington, G, Adams, R, Band, SS, and Funk, S. Injury prevention exercises for reduced incidence of injuries in combat soldiers. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2021-The aim of this study was to determine the influence of an "all-cause injury" prevention program, focused on static-to-dynamic transitions, on injury prevalence in a military commanders course. Two cohorts of male infantry commanders were recruited (intervention [INT group], n = 196 and controls [CO group], n = 169) and tracked by a physiotherapist, who recorded any injuries that occurred during the 14-week course. Soldiers were tested precourse, midcourse, and postcourse for anthropometrics, proprioception ability, and dynamic postural balance (DPB). The INT group performed injury prevention exercises for 5 minutes, 3 times a week, and the CO group continued with their routine physical fitness sessions. The prevalence of injuries reported to the physiotherapist during the course was significantly lower for the INT group compared with the CO group (14.8 and 34.3%, respectively, p < 0.001). Similarly, rates of injury in the INT group were significantly lower than in the CO group (p < 0.001; hazard = 2.53, 95% confidence interval = 1.62-3.95). Precourse proprioception ability was significantly lower in those that became injured during the commanders course, irrespective of the group. Likewise, for DPB parameters, the injured subjects in both groups had significantly lower precourse scores than the noninjured subjects. From pretesting to midtesting, the injured soldiers in the INT group improved their ability up to the level of the noninjured subjects. A reduced prevalence of injuries was found for soldiers who completed the injury prevention program. Because the subjects soldiers injured on the course had reduced somatosensory abilities at the outset, and as these abilities can be improved by static-to-dynamic exercises, identifying at-risk soldiers and providing them with appropriate strategies for improvement beforehand is indicated.