Evaluation of Movement Patterns and Dynamic Balance as Predictors of Injury Risk in Basketball Athletes

Abstract

Background: Basketball is a high-intensity sport that demands complex movement patterns, rapid directional changes, and sustained dynamic balance, making athletes particularly vulnerable to musculoskeletal injuries. The identification of biomechanical and neuromuscular predictors prior to injury onset is essential for developing targeted prevention programs. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate movement patterns and dynamic balance as predictors of injury risk in basketball athletes at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Universitas Negeri Makassar. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted involving 60 male and female basketball athletes (mean age: 20.3 ± 2.1 years). Movement quality was assessed using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), and dynamic balance was measured using the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). Injury history was documented over the preceding 12 months. Logistic regression and Pearson correlation analyses were employed to determine the predictive relationship between the assessed variables and injury occurrence. Results: Athletes with FMS composite scores below 14 demonstrated a significantly higher injury incidence (78.6%) compared to those scoring 14 or above (34.2%). SEBT anterior reach asymmetry exceeding 4 cm between limbs was associated with a 3.4-fold increased injury risk (OR = 3.41; 95% CI: 1.67–6.98; p < 0.01). A significant negative correlation was observed between FMS scores and injury frequency (r = ?0.62, p < 0.001). The posteromedial and posterolateral SEBT directions showed the strongest predictive associations with lower extremity injuries. Conclusion: Movement pattern deficits and dynamic balance asymmetries are significant predictors of injury risk in basketball athletes. Routine screening using FMS and SEBT should be integrated into athlete monitoring programs to guide individualized injury prevention interventions.