ABSTRACT

Purpose of the study is to determine poor movement pattern strategies predispose female high school athletes of Kerala to injury, and if a functional movement screening (FMS) tool can be used to predict injuries in this population. The date on the FMS comprised of seven movement tests were collected from Kottayam district female high school athletes, were calculated before the start of their interschool competition season( Hockey,  Volleyball and Basketball). Seven athletes reported a previous history of musculoligamentous lower back injuries. Injuries occurred and continued while participating in sport activities were recorded   throughout the seasons. The mean FMS score and standard deviation for all subjects was 14.1±1.33 (maximum score of 21). Eighteen injuries (18 lower back) were recorded during this study. A score of 14/21 or less was significantly associated with injury (p=0.0496). Sixty nine percent of athletes scoring 14 or less sustained an injury.   Odds ratios  were  3.85  with  inclusion  of  stress  fracture  and  musculoligamentous  lower back injuries to the subjects.   Sensitivity and specificity were 0.58 and 0.74 for all subjects, respectively.  A significant correlation was found between low scoring athletes and injury (p=0.0214, r=0.76). A score of 14 or less on the FMS tool resulted in increase in risk of lower   extremity   injury   in   female   high   school   athletes   participating   interschool competitions. The screening tool was able to predict injury in female athletes without a history of major musculoskeletal lower back injuries. Result of the study shows that compensatory associated movement strategies of athletes often increase the risk of injury in female high school athletes, and can be determined by using a functional movement screening tool.

Keywords: Female Athlete, Sports Injury, Functional Movement Screen and Injury Risk Factors.