Sex Differences in Dysfunctional Movements and Asymmetries in Young Normal Weight, Overweight, and Obese Children

Abstract

This study evaluated overall performance on the functional movement screen (FMS), prevalence of asymmetries and dysfunctional movements, and the relationship between measures of adiposity and the FMS score. Methods: Ninety-four (53 boys; 41 girls) 10–12-year-old children in Hungary and Germany who were participating in daily physical education performed the FMS. The mean FMS score in girls (14.1) was significantly higher than in boys (12.9). Individual test item scores were similar, except girls scored higher on the straight-leg raise. Most children (55% of boys, 68% of girls) presented with at least one asymmetry and 72% of boys and 76% of girls had at least one dysfunctional score. Measures of adiposity were negatively correlated to performance on all test items. Underweight and normal weight children performed significantly better on the FMS than overweight and obese children. Sex differences and the high prevalence of asymmetries and dysfunctional scores should be interpreted with caution since they may be due to dynamic changes in strength, proprioception, balance, and motor control that occur as part of growth and involvement in activities. Nevertheless, the high prevalence of asymmetries and dysfunctional scores indicate that most children have movement limitations.

Assessment of Dysfunctional Movements and Asymmetries in Children and Adolescents Using the Functional Movement Screen—A Narrative Review

“…Although there is a plethora of research on the use of the FMS in adults, there is growing scientific evidence indicating the use of the FMS in youth. Studies to date have been performed in the United States, Canada [ 42 , 43 ], Hungary and Germany [ 44 , 45 ], Italy [ 46 ], Moldova [ 38 ], countries of the UK [ 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ], Ireland [ 58 , 59 ], Poland [ 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 ], Slovakia [ 65 ], Iran [ 66 , 67 , 68 ], Turkey [ 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 ], Japan [ 75 ], China [ 76 , 77 ], Thailand [ 32 ], Taiwan [ 78 , 79 , 80 ], Korea [ 81 ], Indonesia [ 82 ], Croatia [ 40 , 41 , 83 , 84 ], Brazil [ 85 ], Portugal [ 86 ], Spain [ 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 …”

“…Other studies have reported no significant differences in the FMS scores between boys and girls [ 36 , 38 , 41 , 44 , 48 , 49 , 58 , 62 , 63 , 76 , 81 , 83 , 86 , 87 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 93 , 99 , 103 , 110 ]. Fewer studies have reported that girls perform better than boys [ 32 , 40 , 45 , 54 , 55 , 59 , 88 , 108 ] and even fewer studies report that boys perform better than girls [ 107 , 111 ].…”

“…A recent study [ 45 ] of 10 to 12-year-old girls and boys, girls (FMS = 14.1) had a significantly higher FMS score than boys (FMS = 12.9). This concurs with a previous study [ 48 ] in which 10 to 11-year-old girls (FMS = 14.5) had higher FMS scores than boys (FMS = 13.5).…”

“…In a group of athletic 13 to 18-year-old boys and girls, boys (FMS = 15.3) had higher FMS values than (FMS = 13.8) [ 111 ]. In the study by Vehrs et al [ 45 ] and Duncan et al [ 48 ], non-athletic participants were 10 to 12 years of age whereas participants in other studies were either younger [ 38 , 49 ] or older [ 99 , 110 ]. Other studies include athletes [ 99 , 110 , 111 ].…”

“…In addition to sex differences in the total FMS score, there are also sex difference in how boys and girls perform on individual FMS test items. Generally, boys have more dysfunctional movements in movement patterns that challenge mobility and flexibility and girls underperform boys in movements that require upper body strength and core stabilization [ 40 , 45 , 81 , 88 ]. For example, in a group of 10 to 17 year old youth, boys performed better on the trunk stability push-up, in-line lungs, and rotary stability tests [ 107 ] and an older (14–18 years of age) group of boys performed better on the trunk stability push-up test and the inline lunge [ 111 ].…”