Yildiz, S, Pinar, S, and Gelen, E. Effects of 8-week functional vs. traditional training on athletic performance and functional movement on prepubertal tennis players. J Strength Cond Res 33(3): 651–661, 2019—In recent years, studies on functional training (FT) have gained importance among older adults and health care services, but there is a lack of research on the athletic performance of children. Fundamental movement skills are basic skills that need to be improved by the age of 10, and these skills are fundamental to every sport. While developing these basic movement skills, some athletic abilities of children should not be neglected and will be a basis for the future. In this way, children will have the ability to perform their sport-specific movement skills easily when the age of specialization comes. Our hypothesis is that increased functional movement will enhance athletic performance of child tennis players. Question of the study is “will increased functional movement enhance athletic performance of child tennis players?” The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of the FT model on the athletic performance of young athletes. This study included 28 young tennis players (mean age: 9.6 ± 0.7, height: 134.1 ± 6.8, body mass: 31.3 ± 4.1, and fitness age: 3.1 ± 1.1) who have an 80% or more dominant side based on the lateralization test and a functional movement screen (FMS) score below 75%. Ten subjects were included in each of the FT group (FTG) and the traditional training group (TTG), 8 subjects were included in the control group (CG). The training program was implemented on 3 nonconsecutive days in a week for 8 weeks. All subjects performed CG exercises; FTG performed additional exercises based on the FT model, and TTG performed additional exercises based on the TT model. Flexibility, vertical jump, acceleration, agility, balance, and FMS tests were conducted before the training program, at the end of the fourth and the eighth week. The Friedman test analysis method bearing intragroup repeated measurements was used to evaluate the effects of the training program on the dependent variables among weeks (beginning the fourth week and the eighth week) since groups display distribution in nonparametric order. The differences between the averages were tested with Wilcoxon post hoc analyses. The Kruskal-Wallis Test analyses method was used to evaluate the effects of the training program on dependent variables among the groups (CG, TTG, and FTG). The differences between the averages were tested with Mann-Whitney U post hoc analyses. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values were calculated to determine the test-retest reliability of all measurements. According to the data, there was no difference in performance measurements between CG, TTG, and FTG before the exercise program (p > 0.05), but the differences between the groups were significant (p < 0.01) after 4 weeks and 8 weeks. A significant decrease was found in FMS score in CG (p < 0.01), while no difference was found in other parameters (p > 0.05). In TTG, FMS score significantly decreased (p < 0.01), dynamic right balance (p < 0.01) and dynamic left balance (p < 0.05) increased. But, no statistically significant difference was found in other parameters (p > 0.05) in TTG. In FTG, all parameters improved, and differences were statistically significant (p ≤ 0.001). Based on these results, the FT model seems to be more effective than the TT model in terms of increasing athletic performance.

In karate athletes, quality of movement and trunk control are important factors. Power output that is performed in short time requires functional movement capabilities. It's quite important to know that which athletic abilities are related to functional movement. Due to this concern, the aim of the study was to examine relationship between functional movement screen (FMS) and some athletic abilities. 20 male, 12 female karate athletes (Blue or higher belts; age: 16,06±0,9 years; training age: 7,5±1,1 years; weight: 63,06±11,6 kg; height: 171,9±6,1 cm) voluntarily participated in the study. Measurements have been taken on non-consecutive days in Functional Movement Screen (FMS) test battery, core stabilization test battery, back-leg extension isometric strength (BS), handgrip strength (HS), flexibility (S&R) and vertical jumping (SJ).The results showed that there is the significant relationship between FMS and S&R, SJ, core stabilization (p<0.01), and BS (p<0.05). There is no the significant correlation between HS. Due to the relationship between FMS Score and core stabilization, S&R, SJ and BS.It's recommended practicing all these abilities to increase the quality of movement. Likewise, functional movement levels should be increased to perform better these athletic abilities.

FMS is one of the test battery that is used very common recently. Asymmetries and limitations of the functional movement patterns could be detected with this test battery. Study's purpose was to evaluate the relationship between FMS and athletic performance parameters in prepubertal children. 28 male children voluntarily participated in the study (Age: 9.6 ± 0.7 years, Height: 134.1 ± 6.8 cm, Weight: 31.3 ± 4.1 kg, and Training Duration: 3.1 ± 1.3 years). In study's results, a very significant relationship was found between FMS and static and dynamic balance and flexibility and CMJ (p<0.01). A significant relationship was found between FMS and agility and acceleration (p<0.05). Athletic performance parameters may predict with FMS test battery in prepubertal children. After athletic performance predicted if the quality of functional movement patterns are improved next stages of development may increase children's tennis performance.

This study aimed to investigate the kinematic and kinetic changes when resistance is applied in horizontal and vertical directions, produced by using different percentages of body weight, caused by jumping movements during a dynamic warm-up. The group of subjects consisted of 35 voluntary male athletes (19 basketball and 16 volleyball players; age: 23.4 ± 1.4 years, training experience: 9.6 ± 2.7 years; height: 177.2 ± 5.7 cm, body weight: 69.9 ± 6.9 kg) studying Physical Education, who had a jump training background and who were training for 2 hours, on 4 days in a week. A dynamic warm-up protocol containing seven specific resistance movements with specific resistance corresponding to different percentages of body weight (2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10%) was applied randomly on non consecutive days. Effects of different warm-up protocols were assessed by pre-/post- exercise changes in jump height in the countermovement jump (CMJ) and the squat jump (SJ) measured using a force platform and changes in hip and knee joint angles at the end of the eccentric phase measured using a video camera. A significant increase in jump height was observed in the dynamic resistance warm-up conducted with different percentages of body weight (p < 0.05). On the other hand, no significant difference in different percentages of body weight states was observed (p > 0.05). In jump movements before and after the warm-up, while no significant difference between the vertical ground reaction forces applied by athletes was observed (p > 0.05), in some cases of resistance, a significant reduction was observed in hip and knee joint angles (p < 0.05). The dynamic resistance warm-up method was found to cause changes in the kinematics of jumping movements, as well as an increase in jump height values. As a result, dynamic warm-up exercises could be applicable in cases of resistance corresponding to 6-10% of body weight applied in horizontal and vertical directions in order to increase the jump performance acutely.

Start speed, acceleration, and speed performance are critical factors affecting directly football player's performance. The aim of our study was to examine the relationship among these three abilities. 79 football players voluntarily participated in the study (height: 177,96 ± 5,4cm; weight 73,72 ± 7,85kg; training age: 10,59 ± 2,94 years; age: 21,90 ± 2,66 years). Participant's tests have been taken on non-consecutive days in RT (visual reaction test, Lafayette, Moart Reaction and Movement), Speed (Total 15m; Fusion Sport, Smart Speed), Start speed (0-5m; Fusion Sport, Smart Speed), and acceleration (5-15 m; Fusion Sport, Smart Speed). The first 5m is start speed, 5-15m is acceleration phase and total 15m is speed. Significant correlation has been found between star speed and speed (p<0,01); training age and start speed (p<0,05); height and last 5m performance. Otherwise, the adverse correlation has been found between the second 5m and last 5m performances (p<0,01). There is no significant correlation between reaction time and 15m speed performance (p>0,05). There is significant correlation between acceleration and 15m speed (p<0,05), and between second 5m (p<0,01) and third 5m performances. The football players who have good rates of start speed times have good speed performance due to their physical capabilities. The rate of ground reaction forces is the most important factor that affects acceleration. Hence it's recommended that activities including Olympic weightlifting be performed to increase the rate of ground reaction forces.