Journal of Physical Education and Sports Management

Functional Movement Screen Differences between Male and Female Collegiate Soccer Players
Jonathan A Hamil, Steven M Howell, Anthony R Deldin

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The stated aim of the Function Movement Screen (FMS) sum score is to identify the presence of compensatory movement patterns that are indicative of increased injury risk and inefficient movement that causes reduced performance. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the FMS as a tool during preparticipation screening of asymptomatic collegiate soccer players for the identification of potential musculoskeletal injury. METHODS: The study tested the FMS on female (n=13) and male (n=14) NCAA Division 1 soccer players for differences in musculoskeletal injury occurrences and FMS composite scores over a competition season (10 training weeks). Researchers collected data and used SPSS predictive analysis software to analyze correlations between injury occurrences and FMS score, sex and injury occurrences, and sex and FMS score. RESULTS: Correlation between injury occurrence and FMS score was slight. Correlation between sex and musculoskeletal injury was significant. Correlation between sex and FMS score was significant. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the study suggest female soccer players exhibit higher FMS scores and higher injury rates than male soccer players. The authors suggest that this may be grounds for increasing FMS cutoff score for females as a predictor of injury, but more research is warranted given their smaller sample size.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jpesm.v8n2a4