Development of Comprehensive Movement Screening Tool in Competitive Swimmers: A Modified Delphi Study

Published: June 1, 2026 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2026/87520.23465

Dnyanesh Pramod Patil, Ajit Surendra Dabholkar

1. Professor and Head, Department of Electrotherapy and Electrodiagnosis, DY Patil Deemed to be University, School of Physiotherapy, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. 2. Professor and Head, Department of Sports Physiotherapy, DY Patil Deemed to be University, School of Physiotherapy, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Correspondence
Dr. Dnyanesh Pramod Patil,
Professor and Head, Department of Electrotherapy and Electrodiagnosis, School of Physiotherapy, DY Patil Deemed to be University, Nerul, Navi Mumbai-400706, Maharashtra, India.
E-mail: dnyanesh.patil@dypatil.edu

Introduction: Competitive swimmers are subjected to repeated, high volume of training loads which predispose them to overuse injuries, primarily involving the shoulder, knee and low-back. Current screening tools are generic and isolated screening tests may not adequately identify swimming specific injury risk; therefore, developing an evidence-based screening tool will help to identify injury risk and guide injury prevention.

Aim: To develop a sports-specific comprehensive movement screening tool for competitive swimmers.

Materials and Methods: A 3-round modified Delphi conducted at School of Physiotherapy, D Y Patil deemed to be University, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India online between January 2024 and September 2024. A total of 13 experts (7 academicians and 6 clinicians) participated In Round-1, 29 pre-identified tests comprising of six domains were rated on a 2-point Likert scale with consensus set at ≥70%. In rounds 2 and 3, experts reappraised their agreement in view of group consensus and threshold was stepped up at ≥80% on 5-point Likert scale.

Results: In Round-1, 13 tests achieved ≥70% threshold and four tests nearing threshold were retained for the next round. In Round-2, a total of 23 tests (including six newly suggested tests) were evaluated, of which 10 achieved ≥80% consensus and were included in the final screening tool. Instead of eliminating 13 tests in Round-2 they were re-evaluated again in Round-3. In Round-3, from 13 tests below 80% consensus were evaluated again, from those seven tests which achieved the required consensus agreement and were included in the final tool. However, all tests in the category of balance domain did not achieve expert consensus were eliminated. A total of 17 tests achieved consensus and included in the final screening tool which comprised of 5 domains- functional movements, mobility, muscle strength and endurance, muscle length and core stability.

Conclusion: The comprehensive movement screening tool for competitive swimmers developed using a modified delphi process achieved consensus on 17 tests comprising of 5 domains. This tool can assist in early identification of injury risk and guide prevention strategies based on the identified risk.

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