Evaluation of the Functional Movement Screen and a Novel Basketball Mobility Test as an Injury Prediction Tool for Collegiate Basketball Players

Abstract

Identifying injury risk and implementing preventive measures can assist in reducing injury occurrence and may ultimately improve athletic performance. Improper movement patterns often contribute to musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries. The validity of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS™) as an injury prediction tool for athletes remains unclear. We designed the Basketball-Specific Mobility Test (BMT) to represent the neuromuscular demands of basketball and identify deficiencies that may be indicative of greater MSK injury risk while playing this sport. The aim of this study was to examine the association of FMS™ and BMT scores with injury occurrence in collegiate basketball players. We hypothesized that the BMT would be a better predictor of injury risk than the FMS™, and that scores from both tests would have a higher association with severe MSK injuries than minor, non-MSK injuries. One-hundred nineteen male and female collegiate basketball players from four Upper Midwest universities were assessed pre- (PRE) and post-season (POST) using the FMS™ and BMT. In-season injury records were collected from the schools' athletic trainers and were classified by type and severity. During the season, 56 of 119 players were injured, resulting in 96 total injuries. Injured athletes' PRE FMS™ scores demonstrated negligible effects compared to uninjured athletes' PRE scores (d < 0.20), though some BMT scores showed potentially meaningful effects (d > 0.20). While specificity of the FMS™ and BMT to predict injury was relatively high (FMS™ 85.7-87.6; BMT 42.0-88.0), sensitivity (FMS™ 14.2-22.7; BMT 11.6-39.1), odds ratios (FMS™ 1.00-2.08; BMT 0.47-1.06), and injury prediction capacities (AUC; FMS™ 0.43-0.49; BMT 0.49-0.59) of the tests were low. Although the FMS™ and BMT may be suitable for identifying MSK deficiencies, they do not accurately determine injury risk in collegiate basketball players. Injury risk assessments may be improved by targeting specific injury mechanisms and the conditions in which they occur.

Is a low Functional Movement Screen score (≤14/21) associated with injuries in sport? A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Then, the methodological quality of the selected studies was assessed, choosing studies which had a score that was equal to or greater than 11 according to the STROBE statement. Thirteen studies exceeded the appraisal tool and no study was excluded 9 31–42. The study scores are found in table 1.…”

“…Finally, 12 studies were included in the meta-analysis according to the criteria explained above 9 31–41. The study selection process is shown in a flow chart in figure 1.…”

“…The different criteria used by the different studies make it very difficult to compare across them and helps to understand the poor evidence that was represented in the systematic reviews. For example, we could divide the definitions according to medical criteria31 32 35 38 40 or according to the time since the last sports activity 9 33 34 36 39 41 42. These criteria are very difficult to compare; in addition, the time since last sports activity ranges from 1 day to 4 weeks according to each article.…”

Utility of FMS to understand injury incidence in sports: current perspectives

“…Six research articles assessed the relationship between the FMS (or a portion of the test) between the FMS and another assessment tool. 43 , 44 , 63 , 73 , 105 – 107 Teyhen et al 63 evaluated the relationship between the FMS and the YBT in active duty service members finding that a better performance on the FMS was associated with a greater anterior reach on the YBT. Bond et al 44 and Paszkewicz et al 107 compared the FMS to a mobility test.…”

“… 43 , 44 , 63 , 73 , 105 – 107 Teyhen et al 63 evaluated the relationship between the FMS and the YBT in active duty service members finding that a better performance on the FMS was associated with a greater anterior reach on the YBT. Bond et al 44 and Paszkewicz et al 107 compared the FMS to a mobility test. Bond et al 44 suggested that while the newly constructed Basketball-Specific Mobility Test and the FMS may be appropriate for detecting musculoskeletal deficiencies, this screen and test do not accurately determine injury risk in basketball players at the collegiate setting.…”