Determinants of Movement Quality in Obese and Overweight Healthcare Students: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Background Healthcare students demonstrate high prevalence of overweight and obesity, which may compromise movement quality essential for their professional demands. Poor movement patterns in healthcare professionals are associated with increased injury risk and reduced work performance. This study aimed to investigate factors influencing movement quality in overweight and obese healthcare students in order to identify potential candidates for intervention. Methods A cross- sectional study was carried out on 111 young male healthcare students with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m². Participants underwent comprehensive assessments including anthropometric measurements, Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Six-Minute Walk Distance (6MWD) test, and physical activity evaluation using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Results The mean FMS score was 14.2 ± 2.1. The final regression model explained 80% of variance in FMS scores (R² = 0.800, F (3,107) = 142.7, p < 0.001), representing a very large effect size (Cohen's f² = 4.0). 6MWD emerged as the strongest predictor, followed by physical activity level, and BMI. BMI significantly moderated the relationship between 6MWD and FMS (β = 0.187, p = 0.021), with stronger associations observed in participants with lower BMI values. Conclusion Functional exercise capacity, as measured by 6MWD, is the primary determinant of movement quality in overweight and obese healthcare students. The moderating effect of BMI suggests that targeted interventions should prioritize cardiovascular fitness improvement, particularly for students with higher BMI. These findings support the implementation of fitness and movement quality programs in healthcare education to better prepare students for their professional demands.