Inter rater reliability and a training effect of the functional movement screen in police physical training instructors
Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the inter rater reliability of the Functional Movement Screen (FMSTM) within a police population and determine whether formal training improved reliability and assessment accuracy. Police Physical Training Instructors (PTI) (n 67) rated 98 randomised videos of officers performing four primary FMSTM tasks (overhead squat, hurdle step, in line lunge, and rotary stability) twice within a two day annual training program. A one hour FMSTM training session was completed between the two assessment periods. PTI scores were compared to a Master score. The level of agreement between raters was low to moderate across all FMSTM items. The inter rater reliability between the raters did not improve significantly following training. The level of agreement between "Rater" and "Master" scores improved significantly post training. FMSTM subtest items have varying reliability. Staff training should be performed and compared to a Master rater prior to employing the FMSTM as an assessment tool in law enforcement.