Relationships Between Functional Movement Screen and Pain, Dynamic Balance, and Trunk Muscle Endurance in Military Personnel With Non-specific Chronic Low Back Pain

Functional disability, impaired balance, and trunk muscle endurance are among the major changes in patients with Non-specific Chronic Low Back Pain (NCLBP). Investigating the relationship between these factors and Functional Movement Screen (FMS) can facilitate effective pain management and functional problems in these patients. This study aimed to assess the relationships between FMS and pain, dynamic balance, and trunk muscle endurance in military personnel with NCLBP.

The present study was of a correlational research design. The study subjects were 50 male military personnel with NCLBP (Mean±SD age=33.30±3.94 y, height= 175.32±5.50 cm, & weight=74.05±3.64 kg). FMS was evaluated by FMS tests and pain severity was assessed through Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale; the dynamic balance was evaluated by Y-Balance Test (YBT), and the trunk muscle endurance was measured by the ITO test. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS. Pearson correlation coefficient at a significance level of P<0.05 was used to examine the association between the research variables.

Pain (P=0.04, r=-0.285) was negatively correlated with the FMS. The FMS was positively associated with the dynamic balance (P=0.014, r=0.346) and trunk muscle endurance (P=0.02, r=0.381).

The FMS can be recommended as a functional assessment tools to identify functional deficits in military personnel with NCLBP. The data suggested that the researchers could employ the FMS as a useful tool in designing more effective treatment plans and improving the functional capacity of individuals with CLBP.