Research Paper Title

The Influence of Corrective Exercises on Functional Movement Screen and Physical Fitness Performance in Army ROTC Cadets.

Background

The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a tool designed to identify limitations between sections of the body during fundamental movements. However, there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of corrective exercises to improve FMS scores.

Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of individualised corrective exercises on improving FMS scores in Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadets and correlate these changes with physical fitness performance as established with the standard Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). It was a cluster-randomised, cohort study in a controlled laboratory setting (FMS) and a field based setting (APFT).

Methods

Forty-four healthy, physically active cadets met all inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental (n=24) or control (n=20) group by cluster. Personalised intervention programmes were developed through the FMS Pro360 system, a subscription based software that generates corrective exercises based on individual FMS test scores. The experimental group performed the individualised programmes three times per week for 4-weeks prior to morning Physical Training (PT) regime. The control group continued to participate in the standard warm-up drills as part of morning PT.

The dependent variables included the individual and composite FMS and APFT scores. Scores were reported and analysed in several ways to determine the efficacy of corrective exercises.

Results

Group FMS and APFT scores were similar at pre-test. The experimental group had a significantly greater improvement in FMS composite score at 4-weeks post (U=87, z=-3.83, p=0.001, effect size=1.33, 95% CI: 0.69-1.98). No significant changes in APFT scores were found (U=237.5, z=-0.33, p=0.74). A non-significant, weak correlation between the FMS and APFT scores (r=0.25, p=0.10) was found.

Conclusions

Individualised corrective exercises improved FMS scores, but did not change physical fitness performance. FMS composite scores and APFT performance are not related.

Reference

Basar, M.J., Stanek, J.M., Dodd, D.D. & Begalle, R.L. (2018) The Influence of Corrective Exercises on Functional Movement Screen and Physical Fitness Performance in Army ROTC Cadets. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation. 1-26. doi: 10.1123/jsr.2018-0086. [Epub ahead of print].