The Effectiveness Of Functional Training On Improving Balance And Injury Prevention In Students
Keywords:
Functional Exercise; Balance; Injury Prevention; FMS; StudentsAbstract
Functional training is a training approach designed to improve the body’s ability to perform movements that reflect the movement patterns of daily life and sports activities in an integrated and multi-planar manner. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of functional training on improving balance and preventing injuries in students. The research design used was quasi-experimental with a pre-test and post-test control group design, involving an experimental group (n=30) and a control group (n=30). The experimental group underwent a structured functional training program for eight weeks with a frequency of three times per week, while the control group followed a regular physical training program that is normally conducted. The instruments used include the Y-Balance Test (YBT) for functional balance and the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) to assess movement pattern quality and injury risk. Data analysis was conducted using ANCOVA with the pre-test as a covariate and a significance level of alpha = 0.05. The study results showed that the experimental group experienced a significant increase in all balance variables (YBT: 14,6%) and a significant decrease in injury risk based on FMS scores (from an average of 13.27 to 16.83 out of a maximum score of 21), significantly different from the control group (p < 0.001). It was concluded that a structured and progressive functional training program effectively improves functional balance and reduces injury risk in students through comprehensive neuromuscular adaptation mechanisms.
References
DePaola, A. M., Moore, A. R., Connolly, G. J., & Holland, A. M. (2025). Predicting Injury in Collegiate Baseball and Softball Athletes Using Functional Testing: A Pilot Study. In Muscles . https://doi.org/10.3390/muscles4020010
Derks, K., Burger, J., Doorn, J. van, Kossakowski, J., Matzke, D., Atticciati, L., Beitner, J., Benzesin, V., Bruijn, AL de, Cohen, TRH, Cordesius, E., Dekken, M. van, Delvendahl, N., Dobearndi, S., Groene, Herk, Herk, E. ME, Hiekkaranta, AP, Hoekstra, RHA, Hoffmann, AM, … Wagenmakers, E. (2018). Network Models to Organize a Dispersed Literature: The Case of Misunderstanding Analysis of Covariance. In Journal of European Psychology Students . https://doi.org/10.5334/jeps.458
Dorrel, B., Long, T., Shaffer, SW, & Myer, GD (2018). The Functional Movement Screen as a Predictor of Injury in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Athletes. In Journal of Athletic Training . https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-528-15
Gee, T., Morrow, R. A., Stone, M. R., & Bishop, D. (2019). A Neuromuscular Training Program Enhances Dynamic Neuromuscular Control and Physical Performance in Court‐sport Athletes. In Translational Sports Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1002/tsm2.119
Hartanto, D., & Kusuma, I. (2021). Efektivitas program latihan fungsional terhadap keseimbangan dinamis mahasiswa keolahragaan. Jurnal Ilmu Keolahragaan, 20(2), 112-126.
Hillsdon, M., & Foster, C. (2018). What Are the Health Benefits of Muscle and Bone Strengthening and Balance Activities Across Life Stages and Specific Health Outcomes? In Journal of Frailty Sarcopenia and Falls. https://doi.org/10.22540/jfsf-03-066
Hwang, S., & Song, C.-S. (2023). Assistive Technology Involving Postural Control and Gait Performance for Adults With Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. In Healthcare. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11152225
Iqbal, S., Saeed, A., Batool, S., Waqqar, S., Khattak, H. G., & Jabeen, H. (2023). Effects of Task-Oriented Balance Training With Sensory Integration in Post Stroke Patients. In The Rehabilitation Journal. https://doi.org/10.52567/trehabj.v7i03.12
Jones, S., Fuller, J. T., Chalmers, S., Debenedictis, T., Zacharia, A., Tarca, B., Townsley, A., & Milanese, S. (2020). Combining Physical Performance and Functional Movement Screen Testing to Identify Elite Junior Australian Football Athletes at Risk of Injury. In Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13686
Kim, H.-J., Sung, J.-H., Ryu, J., Jung, H. C., & Wang, J. (2024). Effect of Reformer Spring Resistance Modifications on Core Muscle Activity During Basic Core Muscle Exercises. In Healthcare. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12232447
Kim, J., Ko, J., Lim, J., Choi, H., Seo, K.-H., & Lee, S. (2020). Effects of a Four-Week Core Stability Exercise on Functional Movement and Balance in People With Mild Lower-Limb Discomfort. In Montenegrin Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. https://doi.org/10.26773/mjssm.200903
Kodli, U. (2023). Physiological Adaptations to Endurance, Strength and Interval Training: Implications for Health and Performance. In International Journal of Physical Education Sports and Health. https://doi.org/10.22271/kheljournal.2023.v10.i1e.3316
Li, L., Meng, F., Yao, S., Shi, Q., & Luo, C. (2025). The Effects of an 8-Week Functional Training Program on Functional Movement and Physical Fitness in Male University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial. In Frontiers in Public Health. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1641590
Mahjur, M., & Norasteh, A. A. (2021). The Effect of Unsupervised Home-Based Exercise Training on Physical Functioning Outcomes in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. In Biological Research for Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1177/1099800421989439
Mancini, N., Mancini, S., Ferrantino, M., Moscatelli, F., Messina, G., Monda, M., Ruberto, M., Vasco, P., Casella, C., Colecchia, F. P., Messina, A., & Polito, R. (2025). Effects of a Proprioceptive Training Program on Dynamic Balance and Neuromotor Performance in Adolescent Latin American Dancers. In Sports. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13110388
Nari, S. M. S., Alizadeh, M. H., & Shamsoddini, A. (2020). The Effect of Neuromuscular Training on Functional Movement Screen Scores in Injury-Prone Military Athletes. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-24163/v1
Niewolak, K., Piaskowska, J., Pecyna, P., Piejko, L., Marszałek, W., Sieradzka, M., Baumgart, M., & Polak, A. (2022). Assessment of Postural Control and Gait in Late Post-Stroke Patients Subjected to Treadmill Training With Controlled Body Balance Perturbations. Pilot Study. In Issues of Rehabilitation Orthopaedics Neurophysiology and Sport Promotion – Irons. https://doi.org/10.19271/irons-000166-2022-39
Nugraha, A., & Fauzi, M. (2022). Pengaruh corrective functional training terhadap skor Functional Movement Screen dan risiko cedera atlet. Jurnal Sains dan Olahraga, 5(1), 34-48.
Orssatto, L. B. R., Wiest, M. J., Moura, B. M. de, Collins, D. F., & Diefenthaeler, F. (2020). Neuromuscular Determinants of Explosive Torque: Differences Among Strength‐trained and Untrained Young and Older Men. In Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13788
Orth, N., Graham, A., & Winkelmann, Z. K. (2021). Rater Reliability of the Functional Movement Screen: An Evidence-to-Practice Review. In Clinical Practice in Athletic Training. https://doi.org/10.31622/2021/0004.2.9
Sazdova, L. (2019). Effect of Proprioceptive Training Exercises on Balance in Healthy Individuals. https://doi.org/10.37393/icass2019/101
Song, Y., Li, L., & Dai, B. (2022). Trunk Neuromuscular Function and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries: A Narrative Review of Trunk Strength, Endurance, and Dynamic Control. In Strength & Conditioning Journal. https://doi.org/10.1519/ssc.0000000000000727
Taube, W., Lorch, M., Zeiter, S., & Keller, M. (2014). Non-Physical Practice Improves Task Performance in an Unstable, Perturbed Environment: Motor Imagery and Observational Balance Training. In Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2014.00972
Wen, H. (2023). Optimization of College Physical Education Curriculum Based on G-Dina. In Applied Mathematics and Nonlinear Sciences. https://doi.org/10.2478/amns.2023.1.00202
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Wildayati, Sitti Fatimah Azzahra M. (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
