Predictive Utility of the Functional Movement Screen and Y-Balance Test: Current Evidence and Future Directions

Musculoskeletal injury (MSI) risk screening has gained significant attention in rehabilitation, sports, and fitness due to its ability to predict injuries and guide preventive interventions. This review analyzes the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and the Y-Balance Test (YBT) landscape. Although th...

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Main Authors: Adam C. Eckart, Pragya Sharma Ghimire, James Stavitz, Stephen Barry
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Sports
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/13/2/46
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author Adam C. Eckart
Pragya Sharma Ghimire
James Stavitz
Stephen Barry
author_facet Adam C. Eckart
Pragya Sharma Ghimire
James Stavitz
Stephen Barry
author_sort Adam C. Eckart
collection DOAJ
description Musculoskeletal injury (MSI) risk screening has gained significant attention in rehabilitation, sports, and fitness due to its ability to predict injuries and guide preventive interventions. This review analyzes the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and the Y-Balance Test (YBT) landscape. Although these instruments are widely used because of their simplicity and ease of access, their accuracy in predicting injuries is inconsistent. Significant issues include reliance on broad scoring systems, varying contextual relevance, and neglecting individual characteristics such as age, gender, fitness levels, and past injuries. Meta-analyses reveal that the FMS and YBT overall scores often lack clinical relevance, exhibiting significant variability in sensitivity and specificity among different groups. Findings support the effectiveness of multifactorial models that consider modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors such as workload ratios, injury history, and fitness data for better prediction outcomes. Advances in machine learning (ML) and wearable technology, including inertial measurement units (IMUs) and intelligent monitoring systems, show promise by capturing dynamic and personalized high-dimensional data. Such approaches enhance our understanding of how biomechanical, physiological, and contextual injury aspects interact. This review discusses the problems of conventional movement screens, highlights the necessity for workload monitoring and personalized evaluations, and promotes the integration of technology-driven and data-centered techniques. Adopting tailored, multifactorial models could significantly improve injury prediction and prevention across varied populations. Future research should refine these models to enhance their practical use in clinical and field environments.
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spelling doaj-art-05f2b2ec49204f6aa91c9ce1854369c42025-08-20T02:01:24ZengMDPI AGSports2075-46632025-02-011324610.3390/sports13020046Predictive Utility of the Functional Movement Screen and Y-Balance Test: Current Evidence and Future DirectionsAdam C. Eckart0Pragya Sharma Ghimire1James Stavitz2Stephen Barry3Department of Exercise Science, Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083, USADepartment of Exercise Science, Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083, USADepartment of Athletic Training, Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083, USADepartment of Exercise Science, Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083, USAMusculoskeletal injury (MSI) risk screening has gained significant attention in rehabilitation, sports, and fitness due to its ability to predict injuries and guide preventive interventions. This review analyzes the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and the Y-Balance Test (YBT) landscape. Although these instruments are widely used because of their simplicity and ease of access, their accuracy in predicting injuries is inconsistent. Significant issues include reliance on broad scoring systems, varying contextual relevance, and neglecting individual characteristics such as age, gender, fitness levels, and past injuries. Meta-analyses reveal that the FMS and YBT overall scores often lack clinical relevance, exhibiting significant variability in sensitivity and specificity among different groups. Findings support the effectiveness of multifactorial models that consider modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors such as workload ratios, injury history, and fitness data for better prediction outcomes. Advances in machine learning (ML) and wearable technology, including inertial measurement units (IMUs) and intelligent monitoring systems, show promise by capturing dynamic and personalized high-dimensional data. Such approaches enhance our understanding of how biomechanical, physiological, and contextual injury aspects interact. This review discusses the problems of conventional movement screens, highlights the necessity for workload monitoring and personalized evaluations, and promotes the integration of technology-driven and data-centered techniques. Adopting tailored, multifactorial models could significantly improve injury prediction and prevention across varied populations. Future research should refine these models to enhance their practical use in clinical and field environments.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/13/2/46musculoskeletal injuriesfunctional movement screenY-Balance Testinjury risk factorsworkloadinjury prediction
spellingShingle Adam C. Eckart
Pragya Sharma Ghimire
James Stavitz
Stephen Barry
Predictive Utility of the Functional Movement Screen and Y-Balance Test: Current Evidence and Future Directions
Sports
musculoskeletal injuries
functional movement screen
Y-Balance Test
injury risk factors
workload
injury prediction
title Predictive Utility of the Functional Movement Screen and Y-Balance Test: Current Evidence and Future Directions
title_full Predictive Utility of the Functional Movement Screen and Y-Balance Test: Current Evidence and Future Directions
title_fullStr Predictive Utility of the Functional Movement Screen and Y-Balance Test: Current Evidence and Future Directions
title_full_unstemmed Predictive Utility of the Functional Movement Screen and Y-Balance Test: Current Evidence and Future Directions
title_short Predictive Utility of the Functional Movement Screen and Y-Balance Test: Current Evidence and Future Directions
title_sort predictive utility of the functional movement screen and y balance test current evidence and future directions
topic musculoskeletal injuries
functional movement screen
Y-Balance Test
injury risk factors
workload
injury prediction
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/13/2/46
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AT pragyasharmaghimire predictiveutilityofthefunctionalmovementscreenandybalancetestcurrentevidenceandfuturedirections
AT jamesstavitz predictiveutilityofthefunctionalmovementscreenandybalancetestcurrentevidenceandfuturedirections
AT stephenbarry predictiveutilityofthefunctionalmovementscreenandybalancetestcurrentevidenceandfuturedirections