Association between motor competence and Functional Movement Screen scores

BACKGROUND: Motor competence (MC) is generally used to describe a person’s proficiency in a variety of motor skills and is the basis for one’s performance in sports and recreational activities. Functional Movement Screen (FMS(TM)) is one of the most used screening systems to provide interpretable measure of movement quality. Both FMS(TM) and MC constructs share three components: locomotor, manipulative and stabilizing movements. In the present study, it was hypothesized that MC scores can explain FMS(TM) variables. It was also predicted that better MC leads to better functional movement patterns in young adults. METHODS: A sample of 92 young adults (73.9% men) with a mean age of 21.2 years participated in this study. All participants were evaluated on anthropometric measurements, dual x-ray absorptiometry; FMS(TM) and MC. RESULTS: Men showed better MC scores and fat mass composition than women. Regarding specific tests, women scored higher in the FMS(TM)active straight leg raise test, whereas men performed better in the FMS(TM) trunk stability push-up (TSP) test. Manipulative tasks and construct presents’ significant and positive associations with FMS(TM) composite score (r ≥ 0.303). The significant negative correlation were more related to FMS(TM) TSP and MC shuttle run and FMS(TM) in-line lunge and MC manipulative. The FMS(TM) TSP presents significant associations with all MC constructs and tasks. Meanwhile, the FMS(TM) composite score is associated with all components of MC Stability (p < 0.05). In young adults, and independent of gender, the FMS(TM)explains fundamental movements based on motor control according to the stability construct. Moreover, the FMS(TM) TSP is associated with better performance in the all MC constructs and MC tasks. The FMS(TM), on its own, is linked to objective MC stability measures.