Ground-based movement training (GBMT) is a form of bodyweight training that incorporates various animal poses, transitions, and crawling patterns to reportedly improve fitness and performance. Unfortunately, little evidence exists to validate such claims and to guide practitioners in the best use of GBMT. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the impact of 8 weeks of a commercially available GBMT program, using the Animal Flow system, on functional movement, dynamic balance, active joint range of motion, and upper body muscular strength and endurance. Forty-two physically active college-age subjects were randomly assigned to a GBMT or control group. The GBMT group performed 60-minutes of GBMT twice a week for 8 weeks in addition to their normal physical activity, while the CON group maintained their normal physical activity throughout the intervention period. The GBMT group showed significantly greater improvements than the CON group in overall functional movement screen composite score, functional movement and fundamental stability scores, hip flexion, hip medial rotation and shoulder extension. Our results indicate that GBMT can improve functional movement patterns and various active joint ranges of motion.
