CONTEXT: The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) has been found to be a valid pre-participation screening tool in the prediction of injury among various athletes in different sports. The validity thereof in the prediction of injury among adolescent cricketers is yet to be established.
OBJECTIVE: To determine if a pre-season FMS total score is a valid predictor of in-season injury among adolescent pace bowlers.
DESIGN: Prospective observational quantitative study. SETTING: Bowlers performed the FMS before the start of the season. Injury incidence was monitored monthly throughout the season. The student t-test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare the FMS scores of the injured and non-injured bowlers as well as the injured and non-injured bowlers who scored ≤ 14. PARTICIPANTS: 27 injury free, male adolescent pace bowlers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The FMS (scoring criteria and score sheet) and standardised self-administered injury questionnaire.
RESULTS: There was no difference between the non-injured group (16.55±2.57) and the injured (16.1±2.07) group in terms of FMS scores. There was no significant difference between injured and non-injured bowlers who scored ≤14. A total FMS score of 14 does not provide the sensitivity needed to assess injury risk among adolescent pace bowlers and no other accurate cut-off score could be calculated.
CONCLUSION: Pre-season observed total FMS score is a poor predictor of in-season injury among adolescent pace bowlers. Further research should be conducted to determine if a specific FMS test will be a more valid predictor of injury.