Journal of Education & Social Policy

Movement by Age and Sex Using the Functional Movement Screen
M. P. Bonis, A. B. Welch, B. L. Eason, J. M. Loftin, M. Sothern

Abstract
Introduction: The study compared movement patterns by age and by sex from the general population using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS). Methods: Movement patterns were assessed using FMS of 526 subjects, 259 males, 267 females, (mean age + SD = 27.4+ 11.6 years). The IRB human subjects-approved study graded each subject for seven movement patterns on a scale from 0 to 3 where 0 indicated inability or pain when performing the movement and 3 indicated correct movement without any deficiencies. The subjects were divided into 3 age groups, 18-29, 30-49, >49 years. Results: Kruskal-Wallis analysis indicated total functional movement performance significantly declined with age for the subjects, χ² (2) = 76.4, p < 0.05. Also, Mann-Whitney analysis indicated high threshold stability was significantly greater in males than in females, U(526) = 22,214, z = -7.64, p < 0.05; and significantly greater fundamental flexibility of heavy closed-chain leg activities in women than in men (U = 27,786.5, z = -4.23, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Results demonstrated that the FMS can identify movement deficiencies by age, sex, or subpopulations and can be used in developing physical fitness/ rehab programs to address these specific group movement deficiencies. Continued collection of normative movement pattern data is recommended.

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