Movement patterns assessment in female health sciences students at a private university in Rio de Janeiro – Brazil: a pilot study

The purpose of this pilot study was to associate the history of extracurricular activity practice with the performance on the Functional Movement Screen Test, and to correlate different directions of the Y Balance Test with the performance on the Functional Movement Screen Test, as well as the weekly time spent on physical activities. Six women (age: 25.67 ± 4.68 years; height: 1.61 ± 0.06 m; total body mass: 65.47 ± 10.31 kg; body mass index: 25.06 ± 3.94) voluntarily participated in the present study. Each participant visited the laboratory on a single occasion, during which anthropometric measurements and movement pattern data (Functional Movement Screen Test and Y Balance Test) were collected, along with their past and current history of physical activity practice. Regarding the associations between the Functional Movement Screen Test and the history of extracurricular physical activity practice, no significant association was observed (p>0.05). Similarly, there were no significant correlations (p > 0.05) between the Functional Movement Screen Test and any of the Y Balance Test directions, nor between the weekly time spent on physical activities and any of the Y Balance Test directions. With respect to physical education in childhood, the study underscored its relevance for maintaining an active lifestyle in adulthood. It also highlighted the importance of school physical education and the role of the physical education teacher in encouraging physical activity among children. There are still open questions and a need for more studies and research on the topic, especially concerning improvements in current class programs to better engage students in physical activity and consequently promote a more active future.