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FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT SCREEN NORMATIVE VALUES IN DIVISION III COLLEGIATE ATHLETES

Abstract

K.N. Armstrong, B.R. McDevitt, K.J. Baumann, L.M. O’Reilly, Y.M. Ramos, C. Reyes

Linfield College, McMinnville, OR

While much data is available regarding Functional Movement Screen (FMS) scores in corrective exercise programs and injury prevention, limited data exists regarding comparisons between movement patterns in various sports. Having normative data on a variety of functional movement patterns can allow coaches to properly assess their team’s strengths and weaknesses in movement to tailor training programs accordingly. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to review FMS scores to find any mobility and stability differences between several NCAA Division III varsity teams. METHODS: 83 healthy student-athletes (63 males: 20.04 ± 1.4 years, 81.7 ± 14.9 kg, 179.2 ± 26.6 cm; 20 females: 19.4 ± 1.3 years, 64.1 ± 13.7 kg, 167.8 ± 19.1 cm) from 4 different NCAA Division III varsity teams were recruited as participants. Men’s and women’s basketball (MBB, WBB), women’s lacrosse (WLAX), and baseball (BB) performed a battery of tests to measure physical capabilities prior to the beginning of their competitive season. All players were injury-free during the time of testing. All participating student-athletes performed the FMS, which is a tool used to gauge fundamental movement patterns including range of motion, stability and balance, to measure movement asymmetries and limitations consisting of seven low-intense bodyweight movements. Scores for individual screens were recorded and an analysis of variance was utilized to determine differences between teams and genders.RESULTS: Between genders, male student-athletes scored significantly higher than females in the average composite scores (p < 0.01); Both women’s teams scored higher in hip mobility than MBB only (p < 0.01). Between the male teams only, BB displayed significant higher average composite scores compared to MBB (p < 0.01). Between the female teams, WLAX scored significantly higher only in the rotary stability screen than WBB (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study provides normative data concerning movement quality in select NCAA Division III student-athletes. The data comparing the men’s and women’s teams was atypical. The data presented can provide coaches with standards for movement to guide individualized exercise programs as well as general knowledge regarding movement patterns between different sports teams.

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