Evaluation on the Level of Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and Functional Training VIS-À-VIS Sprint Performance of College Track and Field Athletes

Abstract

This study selected 56 sprint student-athletes from the track and field team of Hechi University in Guangxi, China, as test subjects. Before the experiment, all athletes were assessed with the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) test, and a detailed analysis and comparison of the athletes' FMS scores were conducted from an objective perspective. After 12 weeks of functional training intervention, a second FMS test assessment was carried out on the participating athletes. The survey results showed that before the training, the movement quality and functional movement ability of the student-athletes were average. Among them, the scores for core stability, lower limb explosive power, and multi-joint movement tests were evaluated as 3 points, showing excellent core stability and lower limb strength. However, the scores for agility, upper limb coordination, and the 100-meter test were rated as 2, which was average. Before and after training, the overall average score of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) for the student-athlete respondents increased from 15.4500 to 18.1786, and the t-value was -14.140, indicating a significant difference in functional movement levels before and after training. Participants showed noticeable improvements in flexibility, stability, and overall movement quality after the training intervention. Data from the 100-meter test showed that the average score before training was 2.3571 and post-training was 2.9464, with a calculated t-value of -8.883, indicating a significant difference in sprint performance before and after the training. Therefore, introducing this new theory of FMS into future sprint teaching and training practice can not only help correct athletes' physical function deficits and cultivate correct movement patterns, but it can also serve as an effective complement to track and field training methods, providing a theoretical basis for scientifically-informed coaching.