Functional Movement Screening: An Important Tool for Female Athletes

COMPARED WITH MALE ATHLETES, FEMALE ATHLETES INCUR MORE NONCONTACT INJURIES. FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT SCREENING (FMS) IDENTIFIES MOVEMENT ASYMMETRIES OR DEFICIENCIES THAT MAY PREDISPOSE ATHLETES TO INJURY. IN THIS ARTICLE, THE PROS AND CONS OF FMS AND POTENTIAL SEX DIFFERENCES IN SCORING ARE DISCUSSED. STRATEGIES THAT STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACHES CAN IMPLEMENT TO LESSEN INJURY RATES AND IMPROVE COMPETITIVE READINESS IN FEMALE ATHLETES ARE ALSO OFFERED. INJURY PREVENTION STRATEGIES PROPOSED INCLUDE: (A) UNDERSTANDING TOP PREDICTORS OF INJURIES, (B) ADOPTING RELIABLE SCREENING TOOLS, AND (C) CREATING STRATIFIED RISK MANAGEMENT PROFILES WITH ACCOMPANYING CORRECTIVE STRATEGIES.