Abstract

Purpose: To investigate if the Functional Movement Screen (FMSâ„¢) total score, individual component test scores or number of asymmetries can predict noncontact injury risk or player performance over three consecutive seasons of NCAA Division I football. Methods: As football teams are comprised of individuals with vastly different physical characteristics and playing responsibilities, we divided the subjects into three homogeneous groups based on position (Big, Combo and Skill). Each FMSâ„¢ score was assessed with regard to the total team score as well as by individual position groups. For our injury analysis we also controlled for exposure. For player performance we controlled for plays played.Participants: 286 NCAA Division I athletes participated over three consecutive seasons, yielding a total of 344 observations.Results: We found no significant relationship between total FMSâ„¢ score and likelihood of injury when analyzed by the total team or by position group. These findings were the same for all groups, for both the total number of injuries as well as injuries weighted by injury exposure. The only significant findings occurred when we considered individual Test Item scores to injury by position group. We only found a significant relationship in the expected direction with Push-Up Stability in the Combo group. Regarding performance, total FMSâ„¢ was only significant for the Big group, but this effect was not practically significant.Conclusion: FMSâ„¢ was not a good predictor of noncontact injury or performance based on possible playing time.

Degree

PhD

College and Department

Life Sciences; Exercise Sciences