The motor competency level of elderly people measured by Functional Movement Screen protocol

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. The aim of the study is to determine the level of fundamental skills which consist of motor competence such as balance, mobility, and stability. Material and Methods. The study has been conducted with people living in the elderly home "Jetimat e Ballkanit" who are representative of these people's category living in Kosovo. 10 women and 10 men aged 50-65 were included in the study on a voluntary basis. The height, body mass, and all body composition, such as Body mass index, Body fat percentage, Body water, Muscle mass, Bones, Kilocalories, and Visceral Fat, were measured with medical scales (Tanita BC 545 N Innerscan Segmental Personal Body Analysis). Functional Movement Screen is composed of the Deep Squat, Hurdle Step, Incline Lunge, Shoulder Mobility, Active Straight-Leg Raise, Trunk Stability Push-Up, Rotary Stability, were applied. The SPSS 26 packet was used in the data analysis. Categorization of the participants with pain, low, average, and high ability were made by using frequency statistics. Differences between genders and right/left extremities were made by using Independent-Samples T-Test. Also, a regression Linear model and the Backward Elimination method were applied. Results. Gender and right/left dominancy analysis of the Functional Movement Screen scores has shown that no statistical differences appear in the data analyzed in the study (p>0.05). The frequency analysis has shown that 11.1-22.2% of the people living in the elderly home have pain while applying the movements. 24.06% of them have shown low ability in the Functional Movement Screen protocol, 30.39% seem to have a normal level of functionality. There are just 37.01% of them who resulted to be in good condition based on the Functional Movement Screen protocol. Conclusions. The analysis of the study concludes that the lacking of functionality in the motor competency level of elderly people may occur from their nutrition. That, is reflected in motor competency level through decreases in muscle mass, bone density, and increases in fat percentage, body mass index, and body weight.