The Functional Movement Screen as a predictor of police recruit occupational task performance

SummaryAimThe aim of this study was to determine whether poor movement patterns impact on police recruit task performance.MethodsFifty-three volunteers were randomly selected from a pool of 173 police recruits attending basic recruit training. Relationships between movement performance, as measured by the Functional Movement Screen, and four occupational tasks were investigated.ResultsEleven percent failed the marksmanship and baton strike assessments, 21% failed defensive tactics and 36% failed the tactical options assessment. Mean Functional Movement Screen score was 13.96 points (±1.99 points). Only the tactical options assessment approached a significant difference (p = 0.077) between pass/fail recruits. When Functional Movement Screen scores when graded as pass (14+) or fail (<14) again only the tactical options assessment approached significance (p = 0.057).ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that a relationship between an officer's movement patterns and occupational performance, most notably choice of tactical options, may exist.