Emergency medical technicians with impaired functional movement patterns have poorer dynamic balance and muscle flexibility: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine functional movement patterns and physical functions, including strength, flexibility, balance, and agility in emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and to compare physical function outcomes between EMTs with different levels of functional movement performance. We hypothesized that EMTs with poorer functional movement patterns would perform worse in physical function tests than those with better patterns. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 91 EMTs from the Bureau of Fire in Tainan, Taiwan. Functional movement patterns were assessed using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS™). Muscle strength and flexibility of the upper and lower extremities and core stability were assessed using a hand-held dynamometer and clinical tests. The dynamic balance ability of each leg was assessed using the Y-balance test, and agility was assessed using the agility T-test. RESULTS: The average FMS™ score for all EMTs was 14.1, and 44 participants (48%) were classified as the higher-scoring group (FMS™ score higher than 14), and 47 (52%) were the lower-scoring group (FMS™ score 14 or less). The lower-scoring group exhibited significantly poorer fundamental movement patterns, reduced lower-body flexibility (sit-and-reach and straight-leg raise), and lower Y-balance test scores compared to the higher-scoring group. No differences were observed in upper and lower extremity muscle strength, core stability, shoulder mobility, or agility. CONCLUSION: The current results indicate that EMTs exhibit impaired functional movement patterns, with those with lower FMS™ scores demonstrating reduced lower body flexibility and dynamic balance compared with those with higher scores. These findings highlight the importance of movement-focused assessment and support the need for intervention strategies targeting movement quality, flexibility, and balance to promote occupational health in EMTs.