Functional Movement Screen and Lower Limb Strength Asymmetry in Professional Soccer Players

Abstract

BackgroundThe Functional Movement Screen (FMS) protocol consists of 7 tests (Cook & Burton, 2014). At higher values mean higher quality of movement execution. Lower limb functional asymmetry (FA) is monitored to control the athlete's injury risk (Sannicandroet al., 2011).ObjectiveTo examine the correlation between the FMS score and strength asymmetry in professional soccer players (PSP).DesignDescriptive study (correlation study investigating the relationship between variables).SettingProfessional soccer.Participantsn=30 professional soccer players (age: 22.2±4.6; weight: 74.3±10,1 kg; height: 176.1±8.7 cm), 4 players were excluded due to joint or muscle injury within the last 18 months.Assessment of Risk FactorsThe FMS protocol identifies athletes as being at risk of injury when the total score is ≤14. The Hop Test (HT), Side Hop (SH) and Hop Crossover (CH) test are considered to represent a valid assessment of the single lower limb FA. The counter movement jump (CMJ) test indirectly evaluates explosive strength capacity (jump height).Main Outcome MeasurementsThe sample was evaluated using the 7 FMS test and CMJ, HT, SH and CH tests for strength capacity. FA was calculated between the two limbs as follows: (jump dominant limb–jump non-dominant limb)/jump dominant-limb*100 (Yamamoto, 1993).ResultsWe observed a significant inverse correlation between FMS score and the SH asymmetry percentage (r=−0.678, p<0.01) and the CH asymmetry percentage (r=−0.572,p<0.01). We also observed a significant positive correlation between the FMS score and CMJ values (r=0.531, p<0.01). No significant correlation was found between FMS and the HT asymmetry percentage (r=−0.245).ConclusionsThe best quality movement in FMS test was correlated with high performance in CMJ and with low percentage of lower limb FA, respectively.

The Impact of Physical Performance on Functional Movement Screen Scores and Asymmetries in Female University Physical Education Students

“…However, handgrip strength and the FMS scores do not seem to have clear connections [20]. Sannicandro et al [19] indicated that footballers presented better quality movement patterns that generated greater lower limb power. Willigenburg and Hewett [45] observed correlations between the length of the long jump and the overall FMS score among American football players.…”

“…Chang et al [18] indicated the relationship between a trunk stability push-up with agility t-test result. Sannicandro et al [19] showed a connection between the FMS score and the power of the lower limbs among professional footballers, showing that better quality of movement patterns was associated with greater power of the lower limbs. Chimera et al [20] established strong relationships between flexibility and the trunk muscles' strength with movement patterns quality.…”

“…Similar observations also provide studies by Silva et al [21,22] which showed the strength of the trunk muscles as a factor determining the quality of the movement patterns. However, the studies mentioned above [14,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22] regard men and mixed groups, not focusing only on women and possible sex differences in associations between FMS score and asymmetries with physical performance components. However, Kibler et al [23] proved that women are characterized by greater flexibility compared to men, who, in turn, have greater strength than women.…”

Effects of Combination Movement Patterns Quality and Physical Performance on Injuries in Young Athletes

“…In the pre-season tests, football players presented smaller ranges of motion in the hip and knee joints they were more often injured during the season [ 22 ]. Literature reports indicate the relationship of lower limb power to injury [ 23 ]. It has been pointed out that a better ability to maintain balance is associated with fewer ankle injuries [ 24 ].…”

“…There is a relationship between physical performance and the quality of movement patterns [ 25 ]. Sannicandro et al [ 23 ] showed an association between better FMS scores and higher power of lower limbs among professional footballers. Chimera et al [ 26 ] showed strong links between flexibility and the quality of movement patterns and torso muscle strength.…”