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.

Effects of functional correction training on movement patterns and physical fitness in male college students

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of functional corrective training and static stretching on the quality of movement patterns and physical fitness in college students. The study was conducted with 30 male college students from a university in Guangzhou, China. The participants were randomly assigned to either the functional corrective training group (FCT, n = 15, age = 20.93 ± 0.85, BMI = 22.07 ± 2.33) or the static stretching group (SS, n = 13, age = 20.85 ± 0.86, BMI = 21.98 ± 1.80). Two participants from the SS group dropped out due to personal reasons, leaving 13 subjects in that group. Both groups underwent a 6-week training intervention, with sessions held twice a week. The FCT group participated in flexibility training, and/or static motor control training, and/or dynamic motor control training for 10-15 min. The SS group performed static stretching exercises targeting five specific muscles, with 30 s per side and two sets. The Functional Movement Screen (FMS), body composition, sit-and-reach, standing long jump, and pull-ups were assessed before and after the intervention. Differences in FMS outcomes were analyzed using two samples of the Mann-Whitney U test. Physical fitness outcomes were analyzed using a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a 2 (group) × 2 (time) design. After 6 weeks of intervention, the FCT group showed statistically significant improvements in the hurdle step (Z = -2.449, p = 0.014), inline lunge (Z = -2.000, p = 0.046), rotary stability (Z = -2.309, p = 0.021), and composite scores (Z = -3.316, p = 0.001). Comparisons between groups indicated that BMI (FCT, ES = 0.04; SS, ES = -0.11), 30-m sprint (FCT, ES = 0.12; SS, ES = 0.28), body fat percentage (BF%) (FCT, ES = -0.25; SS, ES = -0.07), and sit-and-reach (FCT, ES = 0.17; SS, ES = 0.06) were not statistically significant in both the pre- and post-tests. The effect sizes of all physical fitness indicators were greater in the FCT group than in the SS group. The FCT, consisting of two sessions per week for 6 weeks, has been proven to be effective in improving the quality of movement patterns by improved stability and advanced movements. However, the improvements in physical fitness did not reach statistical significance. FMS and FCT are generally affordable and accessible for college students. College students have the opportunity to employ the FMS tool to assess potential injury risks and address them, thereby reducing the risk of injuries.

Comparison of Intervention Programs to Improve Trunk Stability for Active Females

Background

Current literature illustrates a disparity in trunk stability push up performance (TSPU), as measured by the Functional Movement Screen (FMSTM), in females throughout the lifespan when compared to their male counterparts.

Hypothesis/Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel exercise approach to a trunk stability (NEATS) program compared to a standard Pilates program on TSPU performance in active females aged 18-45 years. It was hypothesized that subjects in the NEATS program would have greater improvements on outcomes related to trunk stability than subjects in the Pilates program.

Study Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Methods

All subjects were tested at baseline on Beighton criteria, the FMSTM, Y-Balance Test Upper Quarter and Lower Quarter, and grip strength by an evaluator blinded to group allocation. Subjects were randomized into the NEATS (n=17) or the Pilates group (n=19). The intervention period lasted eight weeks, with exercise progression at weeks two, four, and six.

Results

The main outcome was between-group pass rates on the TSPU. At posttest, 41% (n=7) of the NEATS group and 42% (n=8) of the Pilates group passed the TSPU, though there was no difference between groups (p=0.97). Significant differences were noted on the TSPU (Pilates, NEATS p=0.01) and composite scores (Pilates p=0.01; NEATS p=0.03). No within-group improvements were noted on the individual scores of the FMSTM (p=0.05-0.66). Within-group differences were noted on the posterolateral reach on the Y-Balance Test Lower Quarter (p=0.03) in the Pilates group. Between-group posttest continuous measures were not significantly different (p=0.17-0.96).

Conclusion

Improvements in trunk stability were comparable between the multi-planar NEATS program and a standard Pilates program suggesting that both can be used to improve trunk stability performance in active females.

Level of Evidence

2.

Sex-related Differences in Functional Movement Screen Scores Among Reserve Officers' Training Corps Cadets

INTRODUCTION

The primary aim of Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) programs is to prepare cadets for future military service. To successfully complete one of these programs and perform active duty responsibilities, cadets must be able to complete a variety of physical tasks. Therefore, performing movement screening may be useful for identifying potential movement disparities that could lead to injury. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether sex-related differences in movement patterns exist on the Functional Movement Screen (FMS). The FMS is a tool that uses seven functional movements to assess movement pattern deficits and asymmetries; deep squat, hurdle step, inline lunge (ILL), shoulder mobility, active straight-leg raise (ASLR), trunk stability pushup (TSPU), and rotary stability.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Archived data for 93 (male, n = 69; female n = 24) ROTC cadets were provided to the primary investigators for analysis. Independent t-tests (P < .05) were conducted to analyze differences in assessments between sexes.

RESULTS

Significant differences between sexes were observed on the ILL (P = .014), ASLR (P < .001), and TSPU (P < .001). Females scored higher on both the ILL (2.13 ± 0.54) and ASLR (2.04 ± 0.69) compared with males (1.81 ± 0.52 and 1.48 ± 0.58). Males scored significantly higher (P ≤ .001) on the TSPU (2.57 ± .581) compared with females (2.00 ± .417). No significant differences were observed in the deep squat (P = .865), hurdle step (P = .829), shoulder mobility (P = .342), and rotary stability (P = .230) assessments.

CONCLUSIONS

Sex differences in the ILL, ASLR, and TSPU may be because of greater mobility in the ankle and hamstrings and reduced upper-body muscle mass for females compared with males. Males performed better than females on the TSPU test. In conclusion, sex-related differences in FMS performance do exist within the ROTC population. Additionally, these differences should be taken into consideration when designing specific exercise programs for ROTC cadets.

CADETS' MOTIVATION FOR MOTOR ACTIVITY AS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN IMPROVING THEIR HEALTH

OBJECTIVE

Aim: To investigate cadets' motivational priorities for physical exercises and sports in the process of their training and the dynamics of their health indicators.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and methods: The research was conducted at the National Academy of Internal Affairs in 2018-2022. The research of motivational priorities involved 372 male cadets from the 1st to the 4th instructional years aged 17 to 22. Two groups were formed to investigate the state of cadets' health: group A (n = 39) included motivated cadets who were additionally engaged in sports, group B (n = 66) was represented by insufficiently motivated cadets who undertook training according to the traditional physical education program and did not additionally engage in physical exercises and sports.

RESULTS

Results: It was found that the motivational priorities of cadets for physical exercises and sports vary depending on the instructional year. Group A cadets showed a significantly better level of health than those from group B, by 2.98 points (p ≤ 0.001) during the 4th instructional year.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: A high level of cadets' health formed in the process of physical exercises and sports during training will contribute to the mastering of the educational program and, in the future, will ensure the effectiveness of their service activities. Therefore, the formation of cadets' conscious motivation for motor activities during training in order to improve their health is an important task of higher educational institutions.

Effects of Exercise-Based Interventions on Functional Movement Capability in Untrained Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine the effects of exercise-based interventions on functional movement capability in untrained populations and provide a reference for future intervention studies in this field. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, Cochrane Library, WanFang, and CNKI databases were systematically searched from inception until February 2022, for randomized or non-randomized controlled trials, addressing the effect of physical activity on functional movement capability in untrained populations. Two researchers independently conducted study selection, data extraction, and quality evaluation. Meta-analysis was performed using RveMan 5.3 and Stata 16.0 software. Twenty studies with 1596 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The results of meta-analysis demonstrated that exercise-based interventions were associated with improved asymmetry functional patterns (RR = 0.40; 95% CI [0.31, 0.50]; p < 0.00001), FMS composite score (MD = 3.01; 95% CI [2.44, 3.58]; p < 0.00001), deep squat (MD = 0.57; 95% CI [0.37, 0.77]; p < 0.00001), hurdle step (MD = 0.56; 95% CI [0.38, 0.75]; p < 0.00001), in-line lunge (MD = 0.54; 95% CI [0.43, 0.66]; p < 0.00001), shoulder mobility (MD = 0.37; 95% CI [0.15, 0.60]; p = 0.001), active straight leg raise (MD = 0.42; 95% CI [0.24, 0.60]; p < 0.00001), trunk stability push up (MD = 0.40; 95% CI [0.16, 0.63]; p = 0.001), and rotary stability (MD = 0.45; 95% CI [0.24, 0.67]; p < 0.0001). Exercise-based interventions were effective in improving functional movement capability in untrained populations. However, there is a need for high-quality, sufficiently powered RCTs to provide a more definitive conclusion.

The Effect of a Novel Training Program to Improve Trunk Stability Push Up Performance in Active Females: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Trunk stability is a risk factor commonly associated with lower extremity injuries, particularly in females. Performance on trunk stability tasks, such as the Trunk Stability Push Up (TSPU), is less than optimal in females. Current corrective programs include few females, and clinically, improvements for females have been minimal.

PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the effectiveness of a novel trunk stability intervention program in improving TSPU performance in a cohort of active female participants. It was hypothesized that ≥60% of participants would improve their TSPU scores to ≥2 via Functional Movement Screen™ (FMS™) criteria following a novel six-week intervention program.

STUDY DESIGN

Pilot Cohort Study.

METHODS

Participants were screened for pain with lumbar and shoulder clearing tests and hypermobility was assessed using Beighton scores. Additional testing included a breathing screen, the FMS™, Y-Balance Test-Lower Quarter and Y-Balance Test-Upper Quarter. Participants who scored a 1 on the TSPU received a home exercise program instructed by student physical therapists. Exercises focused on improving awareness of lumbar spine position and thoracic spine mobility. Participants returned for follow-ups after two and four weeks for instruction in exercise progression, which increased postural demand on the lumbar spine and upper extremities, and utilized closed-chain, multiplanar stability strategies.

RESULTS

Nine of 20 participants (45%) scored ≥2 on the TSPU at posttest. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only 12 participants were able to complete all posttest outcome measures. No significant differences were noted in the remaining outcome measures. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that a multiplanar exercise approach, combining anti-extension and anti-rotation training, was beneficial for inducing trunk stability improvements in some active females.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

2b.

Effects of functional correction training on injury risk of athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

We explored functional correction training using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS™) tool. We also analyzed the effects of training on the injuries of athletes in a systematic review and meta-analysis of non-randomized clinical trials.

Methodology

We collected twenty-four articles from PubMed, CENTRAL, Scopus, ProQuest, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, SPORTDiscus, Embase, WanFang, and CNKI that were published between January 1997 to September 2020. Articles were selected based on the following inclusion criteria: randomized and non-randomized controlled trials, studies with functional correction training screened by FMS™ as the independent variable, and studies with injury risk to the athlete as the dependent variable. Data conditions included the sample size, mean, standard deviation, total FMS™ scores, number of injuries, and asymmetry movement patterns after interventions in the experimental and control groups. Exclusion criteria included: conference abstracts, cross-sectional studies, articles with retrospective study design.

Results

Twelve non-randomized trials were included in the meta-analysis. The injury risk ratio of athletes after functional correction training was 0.39 RR (95 CI [1.50–1.93]; Z = 15.53; P < 0.0001; I² = 2.6%), indicating an improvement of athletes functional patterns.

Conclusion

Grade B evidence indicates that functional correction training based on FMS™ may improve the functional patterns of athletes and Grade D evidence indicates that it may reduce the risk of sports injury. However, the true effect is likely to be different from the estimate of the effect. Therefore, further studies are needed to explore the influence of functional correction training on the injury risks of athletes. Protocol registration: CRD42019145287.

Differences of quadriceps activity during inline lunge by using FMS assessment

[Purpose] This study assessed the exercise capacity of healthy adults while performing the inline lunge exercise by using Functional Movement Screen (FMS). Compared the difference in muscle activity of the quadriceps according to the exercise capacity. [Participants and Methods] Thirty two healthy participants (12 males, 20 females) participated in this study. The surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to measure the electrical activities for the vastus medialis (VM), rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL) of quadriceps. [Results] Both groups had significant difference when sitting up and getting up during the inline lunge. In scores 3 group, vastus medialis showed higher muscle activity than vastus lateralis. On contrary, in scores 2 group, vastus lateralis had higher muscle activity than vastus medialis. [Conclusion] Therefore, this study suggests that inline lunge can help to strengthen the quadriceps effectively by showing the difference of quadriceps activity according to exercise capacity.

The Effects of a Novel Quadrupedal Movement Training Program on Functional Movement, Range of Motion, Muscular Strength, and Endurance

Buxton, JD, Prins, PJ, Miller, MG, Moreno, A, Welton, GL, Atwell, AD, Talampas, TR, and Elsey, GE. The effects of a novel quadrupedal movement training program on functional movement, range of motion, muscular strength, and endurance. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2020-Quadrupedal movement training (QMT) is a form of bodyweight training incorporating animal poses, transitions, and crawling patterns to reportedly improve fitness. This type of training may improve multiple facets of fitness, unfortunately, little evidence exists to support commercial claims and guide practitioners in the best use of QMT. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a commercially available QMT program on functional movement, dynamic balance, range of motion, and upper body strength and endurance. Forty-two active college-age (19.76 ± 2.10 years) subjects (males = 19, females = 23) were randomly assigned to a QMT (n = 21) or control (CON) (n = 21) group for 8 weeks. Quadrupedal movement training consisted of 60-minute classes performed 2×·wk in addition to regular physical activity. Active range of motion, Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Y-Balance Test (YBT), handgrip strength, and push-up endurance were assessed before and after the intervention. The QMT group showed significantly greater improvements than the CON group in FMS composite score (1.62 ± 1.53 vs. 0.33 ± 1.15, p = 0.004) and FMS advanced movements (0.81 ± 0.87 vs. 0.01 ± 0.71, p = 0.002) and fundamental stability (0.57 ± 0.75 vs. 0.05 ± 0.50, p = 0.011), along with hip flexion, hip lateral rotation, and shoulder extension (p < 0.05). No significant differences between groups were observed for dynamic balance or upper body strength and endurance. Our results indicate that QMT can improve FMS scores and various active joint ranges of motion. Quadrupedal movement training is a viable alternative form of training to improve whole-body stabilization and flexibility.