Published: Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 2019 Volume:0 Issue:0 Pages:1–24 DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2020.9168
Study Design
Prospective cohort study.
Background
Pain during Functional Movement Screen (FMS) testing is common and has a significant effect on FMS scoring but the effect on FMS injury risk predictions is unknown.
Objectives
Describe the location and severity of pain during FMS testing in junior Australian football players and investigate its effect on FMS composite score (CS) and injury risk.
Methods
Junior male Australian football players (n=439) completed pre-season FMS testing. Pain location and 0-10 numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) severity were assessed for painful sub-tests. FMS CS was calculated using three scoring approaches: CStraditional scored all painful sub-tests zero, CSmoderate scored painful sub-tests zero if NPRS >4, and CSraw did not adjust painful sub-test scores. Players were monitored throughout the competitive season and considered injured if ≥1 match was missed due to injury.
Results
170 players reported pain during FMS testing. Pain scoring approach affected mean CS (CSraw: 14.9 > CSmoderate: 14.5 > CStraditional: 13.6; P<0.001). Sixty-eight percent of pain was mildly severe (NPRS ≤5). Back pain (50%) was more common than upper (24%) or lower (26%) limb pain (P<0.001). Upper limb pain caused a small increase in injury risk (Hazard ratio: 1.59; P=0.023). No other FMS pain location nor pain severity influenced injury risk (P>0.280). FMS CS was not associated with injury risk, regardless of pain scoring approach (P>0.500).
Conclusion
Pain is common during FMS testing in junior Australian football and has a notable effect on FMS CS, but minimal effect on subsequent injury risk. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, Epub 17 Sep 2019. doi:10.2519/jospt.2020.9168