NORMATIVE VALUES OF FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT SCREENING SCORE FMS TO PREDICT INJURY RISK AND LEVELOF FITNESS AMONG DOMESTIC CRICKET PLAYERS IN TWIN CITIES PAKISTAN

Abstract

Normative values of Functional Movement Screening To Predict Injury Risk and Level of Fitness Among Domestic Cricket Players in Twin Cities, Pakistan.Background:-Injury risk is a common concern among domestic cricket players, particularly those with poor functional movement patterns. Previous research suggests that players with Functional Movement Screen (FMS) scores below 14 are at a higher risk of injury, which may negatively affect their performance during matches and training. Predict injury risk and Level of Fitness Using Normative values of FMS scores among domestic cricket players in the Twin cities,Pakistan.The FMS protocol includes the following seven movement assessments:-Deep Squat,Hurdle Step,In-Line Lunge,Shoulder Mobility,Active Straight Leg Raise,Trunk Stability,Push-Up,Rotary Stability. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a convenient sampling method at various cricket academies in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. A total of 170 male cricket players participated in the study. Data were collected using the  Functional Movement Screening tool, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Players scoring below 14 on the FMS were considered at higher risk for injury. Out of the 170 participants, 6 cricket players (3.53%) scored below 14 on the FMS, indicating a heightened risk of injury. A statistically significant association was found between FMS scores below 14 and an increased incidence of reported injuries (p < 0.05), suggesting that inadequate functional movement patterns correlate strongly with injury risk. The findings highlight that a small but significant proportion of domestic cricket players in the twin cities are at increased risk of injury due to low FMS scores. Regular functional movement screening should be incorporated into training routines to identify at-risk athletes early, enabling the implementation of corrective exercise programs aimed at reducing injury risk and enhancing overall athletic performance