Predictive factors of functional movement screening and physical fitness in university students: the roles of gender, activity level, and sleep duration

Abstract

Background: Functional movement and physical fitness are critical indicators of health and performance in young adults, yet their determinants among university students remain underexplored. Objective: This study examined the predictive roles of gender, age, physical activity level, sleep duration, injury history, and academic performance on functional movement screening (FMS) scores and physical fitness outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed among university students. Functional movement was assessed using the FMS, while physical fitness was measured through standardized strength, endurance, and flexibility tests. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify significant predictors. Results: Gender emerged as the strongest predictor across both domains: females achieved higher FMS scores, whereas males demonstrated superior physical fitness, particularly in strength and endurance. Physical activity level significantly predicted functional movement but not overall physical fitness, highlighting qualitative versus quantitative dimensions of performance. Age was positively associated with muscular strength, while low GPA was unexpectedly linked to higher physical fitness. Recent injury history (<6 months) negatively influenced movement efficiency, whereas sleep duration and smoking status were not significant predictors when controlling for other variables. Conclusion: Findings underscore the multidimensional nature of student health, with gender, activity level, and injury history serving as primary determinants. These results highlight the need for integrated, gender-sensitive, and injury-prevention strategies to optimize movement quality and physical fitness in university populations.