A cross sectional study investigating the functional movement screen score and injury status of triathlets
Date
2017
Authors
Trent, Rodger Lawrence
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Abstract
Introduction: The popularity of triathlon as a multi-event sport is growing, however
injuries can hinder the performance and delay the training regimen of those who
participate in the sport. A screening tool such as the functional movement screen (FMS)
may assist with early detection of these injuries. Therefore the main purpose of this
study was to determine the relationship of injury status with FMS score in a group of
South African triathletes.
Methods: Sixty triathletes with a mean age of 38.8 ± 8.5 years volunteered and
consented to participate in the study. Both male (n=28) and female (n=32) participants
completed a history of injury questionnaire and performed the FMS. The questionnaire
consisted of establishing number, site and cause of injury for each participant. The FMS
is several fundamental movement patterns, scored on an ordinal of 3 to identify
functional limitations or asymmetries.
Results: Forty-nine of the participants reported sustaining injuries in the past six
months. Twenty-four of these participants sustained more than one injury, with 31.7%
(19.5%-43.8%) being acute injuries, while 48.3% (35.3%-61.3%) were overuse (or
chronic) injuries. The majority of injuries sustained took place while running (for males it
was 68%, and 74% for females). The mean FMS composite score for all participants
was 14.5 ± 2.7. No relationships were found between the FMS scores of triathletes and
injury (chronic or acute), (Chi (2)= 0.38; p=0.54). There were no significant statistical
relationships found between the FMS score and injured versus non-injured groups, (Chi
(2)=0.23, p=0.64).
Conclusion: Previous injury of triathletes revealed a high prevalence of injury and a
low overall average FMS score. However, no relationships were found between the
FMS and previous injury, therefore the FMS cannot be used in isolation for determining
injury incidence.
Description
A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the
Witwatersrand, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of
Science in Medicine in the field of Biokinetics
July 2017.
Keywords
Triathletes, Functional Movement Screen