Criterion Validity of Functional Movement Screen as a Predictor of Sports Injury Risk in Chinese Police Staff

The functional movement screen predicts sports injuries in Chinese college students at different levels of physical activity and sports performance

Background

Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is used to evaluate the movement quality of an individual. However, the FMS composite score used to predict sports injuries is currently ambiguous. Further refinement of the FMS scoring method may be required to more accurately predict sports injuries.

Objectives

To investigate whether FMS scores could accurately predict sports injuries in college students with different levels of physical activity (PA) and sports performance (SP).

Methods

One hundred eighty-seven college students aged 18 to 22 were prospectively screened by the FMS test and grouped by the levels of PA and SP. Sports injury occurrences were monitored and collected 12 months later. Spearman's rank coefficients and binary logistic regression were used to identify the risk factors for sports injuries. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the total area under the curve (AUC) value were used to determine the optimal FMS cut-off point for sports injuries.

Results

The FMS composite score (sum of the seven FMS tests) exhibited a fair association with sports injuries (r = -0.434, P < 0.001). Those with an FMS cut-off point of 17.5 were more likely to acquire sports injuries. The AUC value of the ROC curves was 0.764 (95% CI: 0.618-0.909) in the low PA students, 0.781 (95% CI: 0.729-0.936) in the moderate PA students, and 0.721 (95% CI: 0.613-0.879) in the high PA students. Furthermore, students stratified by SP level showed an AUC value of 0.730 (95% CI 0.607-0.853) in the low SP group and 0.778 (95% CI 0.662-0.894) in the moderate SP group, while it declined to 0.705 (95% CI 0.511-0.800) in the high SP group. The FMS cut-off score successfully identified individuals who reported sports injuries at a higher rate in the low (PA, 84.62%; SP, 90.48%) and moderate (PA, 93.75%; SP, 77.78%) groups than in the high groups (PA, 65.52%; SP, 57.89%).

Conclusions

The FMS composite score could be used to predict sports injuries in college students with an FMS cut-off value of 17.5. Population stratification by the levels of PA and SP seems to influence the predictive accuracy of the FMS.

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.