SPORT SCIENCE Heidi Thibert, MFS, MM, MC
Move Well to Skate Well:
Introducing the U.S. Figure Skating High Performance Movement Screen B y L i n ds a y S l at e r
M
ovement assessments are used frequently in physical therapy clinics, athletic training rooms, and strength and conditioning gyms to identify movement patterns that are associated with increased risk of injury. These patterns, often referred to as faulty movement patterns, can change the way the ankle, knee, hip, or spine contribute to stabilizing the movement and may lead to changes in joint loading all the way up the kinetic chain. For example, decreased dorsiflexion at the ankle leads to increased medial knee displacement [1], which has been associated with increased lower extremity injury risk as well as common injuries in figure skating, such as patellofemoral pain [2]. The purpose of the movement screen designed by the United States Figure Skating High Performance Department, called the High Performance Movement Screen, is to assess movement patterns in figure skaters to identify and treat mechanics that may prohibit optimal performance. Figure skaters have the highest risk of overuse injury in the lower extremity as well as an elevated risk of concussion [3, 4] and the tests included in the high performance movement screen are valid and reliable tests to assess mobility and stability in the lower extremity as well as baseline test for concussion. These tests include the y-balance test, single leg squat, rotary stability, shoulder mobility, hip mobility, and the balance error scoring system. It is important to note that the goal of the movement screen is not to predict injury. Rather, the goal is to minimize risk of injury and maximize performance.
A note to coaches from Heidi DeLio Thibert, PSA Coaching Development Director/ PSA Sports Science Chair The High Performance Movement Screen (HPMS) was piloted with the International Selection Pool (ISP) athletes in 2016. It will be available at U.S. Figure Skating S.T.A.R.S. Combines in 2017 with a limited number of slots and an additional cost for the test. Watch for details on dates and locations of 2017 S.T.A.R.S. Combines.
Y-Balance Test The y-balance test assesses ankle mobility in three reach directions: anterior (reaching directly in front), posteromedial (reaching behind and to the inside of the foot), and
10
JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 2017
posterolateral (reaching behind and to the outside of the foot). Asymmetrical performance on these tests has been associated with an elevated risk of injury [5, 6]. Even as little as a four centimeter difference between the right and left leg has been associated with close to three times greater likelihood of lower extremity injury. Most importantly, figure skaters are notorious for having weak ankles. These weak ankles are hypothesized to be a function of wearing stiff skating boots. Rather than addressing ankle joint weakness, skaters often focus on purchasing stiffer boots and tying the skate tighter, forcing a casting effect on the ankle. Testing ankle mobility will help identify athletes who are relying too heavily on boot stiffness and may benefit from ankle strengthening and mobility programs.
Single Leg Squat Single Leg Squat The squat is one of the most commonly used assessments to visually examine lower extremity alignment during movement. This movement requires proper mobility and stability at the ankle, knee, hip, and trunk for optimal performance. The single leg squat translates directly to figure skating movements, from stroking to jump landings. Good performance on the single leg squat has been associated with greater hip strength [7, 8] and ankle range of motion. Without proper hip strength to keep the knee in line with the toes, the knee collapses medially (toward the midline). This medial collapse, referred to as knee valgus, increases risk of anterior knee pain. This is particularly concerning given the number of jumps single skaters complete during each practice. If a skater lands with suboptimal mechanics,