Functional movement screening scores in United Kingdom female collegiate Eventing riders

Eventing is considered one of the most dangerous equestrian disciplines, therefore identifying individuals with greater injury risk could aid in the administration of injury interventions. The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a common, non-invasive tool assessing functional asymmetries and weaknesses, with a threshold of a score of ≤14 suggesting an increased risk of injury. The aim of this research was to establish FMS scores of female collegiate Eventing riders compared to general riders. Female collegiate riders (n = 30), 14 Eventing riders and 16 general riders (amateur riders that do not participate in the discipline of Eventing), were assessed using FMS. Data were analysed using Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon tests and Odds Ratios (O.R.) The mean composite FMS score for event riders was 13.9 ± 3.4 and for general riders was 13.8 ± 2.6. There was no statistically significant difference between the composite FMS scores of event riders and general riders (P = 0.580). Those riding for less than 10 years were 1.63 times (O.R. 95% CI) more likely to score >14 compared to those riding for 10 years or more. Riders that took part in additional physical activity were 1.22 times (O.R. 95% CI) more likely to score >14 in the FMS. The mean composite FMS scores of both the general riders and Eventing riders were close to the threshold score (14), suggesting these individuals are at risk of injury. With the high occurrence of injuries in equestrianism, riders should consider ways of minimising injuries to improve performance and increase career longevity, such as additional physical activity to improve their functional movement scores, although this area warrants future research attention.