EDUCATION OF PHYSIOTHERAPY STUDENTS IN THE FIELD OF MOVEMENT PATTERNS AND ANALYSIS OF THEIR LEVEL

Introduction: Physiotherapy is a physically demanding profession that requires optimal physical fitness to handle work demands.Early prevention of musculoskeletal disorders, which represent the most prevalent health issues in this profession, is crucial even during the course of study.Musculoskeletal health is significantly influenced by the quality of movement patterns.Therefore, it is essential to emphasize the development of proper movement patterns in physiotherapy students, both to support their own health and prevent injuries, as well as to ensure the long-term sustainability of their ability to meet professional demands.Methods: The research sample consisted of 42 first-year undergraduate physiotherapy students, including 33 women and 9 men, aged 19-21 years.The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) was used to analyze the students' movement patterns.FMS is designed to assess movement quality, including mobility, stability, symmetry, and overall movement patterns.The FMS consists of seven individual tests, with a maximum possible score of 21.Results: The students' average total score was 13.12.Women performed better in six out of the seven tests (except the trunk stability pushup).The highest scores were achieved by students in the shoulder mobility test (2.17) and on the contrary, they achieved the lowest score in the deep squat and trunk stability pushup (1.67).Previous studies suggest that individuals scoring 14 are more prone to musculoskeletal injuries and movement dysfunctions.Unfortunately, up to 78.58% of the tested students did not achieve an optimal score.Conclusion: The findings of the present study highlight the need to integrate exercise programs in the everyday life of physiotherapy students to improve their movement patterns.This study contributes to the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders, promotes lifestyle adjustments, and enhances the quality of life among university students.It also facilitates the transfer of acquired knowledge into practical applications within the students' future professional activities.Furthermore, the study enables students to gain experience in functional diagnostics of the musculoskeletal system and apply these insights in their professional practice.