FMS Corrective Intervention Improves FMS Composite Score and 1-Mile Run Time, without Concurrent Change in Hip Extension Strength, Vertical Jump or T-Shuttle Run Time, in Recreational Runners

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to examine the effect of an intervention designed to improve functional movement as determined by Functional Movement Screen ™ (FMS) composite scores, one mile run time, standing isometric hip extension strength, agility T-Test time, and vertical jump in recreational runners (N=12, 7 males and 5 females; Mean Age = 49.08±15.87 yrs.; and mean weekly run volume = 15.96±21.21 miles), while normal running training load was maintained. We employed a two group (Control and Treatment) randomized experimental design. The treatment group (n=6) completed a 6 week intervention using the standard corrective methodology advocated by the FMS organization in combination with their normal run training, while the control group (n=6) continued their normal run training without additional intervention. We found a significant interaction between group and pre/post measure with a large effect sizes demonstrating improvement in the treatment group for the both the 1 mile run time (F = 5.45, p=0.042, Ɲp2= 0.353) and the FMS composite score (F = 10.55, p=0.009, Ɲp2= 0.513). There were no other significant interactions or meaningful effect sizes for any other dependent variable. This study supports the concept that a 6 week standard FMS intervention can result in concurrent improvements in both FMS composite score and 1 mile running performance without a concurrent change in running training load, isometric hip extension strength, vertical jump performance or t-shuttle times, in recreational runners.