The Effects of Strength and Conditioning on Functional Movement Screen™ Scores in Secondary School Basketball

Abstract

Purpose: Injury prevention and mitigation are among the primary responsibilities of Athletic Trainers. Research has indicated that basketball players at the secondary school level suffer up to 2.1 time loss injuries (TLI) per 1,000 athletic exposures (AE). It has been suggested that Functional Movement Screen (FMSTM) composite and individual task scores may help determine injury risk. Researchers have suggested that a variety of strength and conditioning strategies may positively alter both composite and individual FMSTM task scores and reduce movement asymmetry. Methods: During a retrospective analysis of the records of all junior varsity and varsity basketball players at one secondary school over one season, no TLI was recorded over 1900 AE following the implementation of team-specific strength and conditioning programming. Results: Significant increases in pre-season and post-season composite FMSTM scores (pre-season mean = 14.33 ± 1.84; post-season mean = 16.44 ± 1.72; p < 0.001), and FMSTM individual task scores; deep squat (DS) (p < 0.001), hurdle step (HS) (p = 0.002), in-line lunge (ILL) (p = .011), active straight leg raise (ASLR) (p = .02), and rotary stability (RS) (p = .005) were noted across 27 male and female participants. Among females, composite FMSTM scores changed significantly (pre-season mean = 14.92 ± 1.38; post-season mean = 17.00 ± 1.04; p < 0.001), as did HS (p < 0.001) and ILL (p = .025). Among males, significant changes were noted in composite FMSTM scores (pre-season mean = 13.87 ± 2.07; postseason mean = 16.00 ± 2.04; p < 0.001), as well as DS (p = 0.007), and RS (p = .025). Reductions in the number of scores of one and movement asymmetries were also evident during post-season FMSTM screening. Conclusions: Emphasizing movement competency and strength and conditioning training has positive effects on injury risk reduction in secondary school basketball players. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR