A Comparison of Functional Movement Screens between Genders for NCAA D1 Swimmers

A Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a way to analyze movement patterns and observe mobility and stability deficits. The FMS test consists of a deep squat, hurdle step, incline lunge, shoulder mobility, active straight-leg raise, trunk stability, and rotary stability movement patterns. The score of the FMS can range from 0-3, 0 being the lowest. In this study, researchers compared FMS scores between male and female, NCAA, D1, swimmers. According to Anderson et. al (2015), Healthy secondary school female athletes scored lower on the total composite than healthy secondary school male athletes. Females also scored lower on the following individual FMS tasks: inline lunge and trunk stability push-up. Healthy secondary school female athletes scored 14 or less on the FMS total composite score and significantly lower in general compared with healthy secondary school male athletes, which suggests these female athletes may be at higher risk for injury. Factors that may contribute to increased injury risk include deficits in mobility, core stabilization, and coordinated movement patterns. According to Johnson et. al (2021), there were significant differences between male and female athletes when analyzing the FMS scores. Females scored higher on the incline raise and active straight- leg raise, whereas males scored higher on the trunk stability pushup. However, there were no significant differences when comparing deep squat, shoulder mobility, hurdle step and rotary stability assessments. Research has shown that males scored higher on the incline lunge and trunk stability pushup, and females scored higher on flexibility. Considering the findings of Taylor et al (2019); Anderson et al. (2015); and Johnson et al. (2021), it is hypothesized that females would score higher on the Functional Movement Screening test (FMS) due to more optimal mobility in the shoulders, hips, and knees. The purpose of this study is to identify the physiological differences in flexibility, coordination, and stability among male and female swimmers.https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/exercise-science-research-proposal-posters/1125/thumbnail.jp