Relationship Between Movement Quality and Physical Performance in Elite Adolescent Australian Football Players

The Development and Content of Movement Quality Assessments in Athletic Populations: A Systematic Review and Multilevel Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Despite their prominence in the sport and human movement sciences, to date, there is no systematic insight about the development and content of movement quality assessments in athletic populations. This is an important gap to address, as it could yield both practical and scientific implications related to the continued screening of movement quality in athletic contexts. Hence, this study aimed to systematically review the (i) developmental approach, (ii) movements included, (iii) scoring system utilised, and (iv) the reliability of movement competency assessments used in athletic populations.

METHODS

Electronic databases (SPORTDiscus, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus) were searched for relevant articles up to 12 May 2023. Studies were included if they reported data about the developmental approach, movements included, scoring system utilised and reliability of assessment in an athletic population. A modified Downs and Black checklist was used to measure study quality.

RESULTS

From a total of 131 identified studies: (i) 26 (20%) described the developmental approach of an assessment; (ii) 113 (86%) included descriptions of the movements included; (iii) 106 (81%) included a description of scoring system and criteria; and (iv) 77 (59%) studies included reliability statistics. There were 36 assessments identified within these studies, comprising 59 movements in total. Each assessment scored movement quality through a Likert or binary classification system.

CONCLUSION

First, the results demonstrate that choosing an appropriate movement quality assessment in an athletic population may be a complex process for practitioners as the development approach, movements included and scoring criteria vary substantially between assessments. Second, academics could use these results to help design new assessments for novel applications that meet rigour and reliability requirements. Third, these results have the potential to foster guidelines of use for the reliable assessment of movement quality in athletic populations.

Impact of Four Weeks of TOGU Training on Neuromuscular Control and Golf Swing Performance

PURPOSE

To assess the impact of a four-week training program combining TOGU (a functional training system and equipment) Balanza and Dynair® Ballkissen equipment on core strength, balance ability, and golf swing performance in golf athletes.

METHODS

The TOGU group participated in TOGU training three times weekly and regular golf skill training over four weeks. The control group only participated in regular golf skill training. The functional movement screening (FMS) assessment system modified the Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB), and Unilateral Stance Tests (USTs) were used to assess neuromuscular control. Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and utilized the independent samples t-test and the paired t-test for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

(1) Following the four-week training, there was significant improvement of the TOGU group in the total score of FMS, notably in squats and in-line lunges (p < 0.05). (2) Significant reductions in COG sway velocity were observed: Foam-EO (-30.9%, p < 0.01) Firm-EC (-35.18%, p < 0.05) and Foam-EC (-36.78%, p < 0.001). UST also improved: L-EO (-34.39%, p < 0.001), L-EC (-29.92%, p < 0.001), R-EO (-48.67%, p < 0.01), and R-EC (-39.38%, p = 0.0857). (3) Club head speed (CHS) tests indicated significant enhancement (p < 0.01), improved ball speed (p < 0.001), driving distance (p = 0.0553), and hitting efficiency (p < 0.01). The control group showed no significant changes in all tests after four weeks of regular golf skill training.

CONCLUSIONS

A TOGU-based golf core training program can significantly improve a golfers' neuromuscular control, core stability, and coordination, and enhance their swing performance.

The Relationship between Functional Movement Quality and Speed, Agility, and Jump Performance in Elite Female Youth Football Players

The association between movement screening and physical fitness testing in athletes is conflicting, and therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between Functional Movement Screen (FMS) performance and physical performance in elite female youth football players. Twenty-two players from the national U16 team of Bosnia and Herzegovina underwent FMS and physical performance tests, including speed, agility, and jump assessments. Jump and speed performance score correlated well with ASLR, while the overall FMS score was not associated with any of the performance variables. These findings suggest that while certain movement patterns may impact athletic performance, the relationship between movement screening and physical performance is delicate. Coaches and practitioners should consider individual variations and sport-specific demands when interpreting FMS results in order to optimize and maximize athlete performance and reduce injury risks.

Using a golf specific functional movement screen to predict golf performance in collegiate golfers

Background

This study aims to examine the relationship between functional movements and golf performance using the Golf Specific Functional Movement Screen (GSFMS).

Methods

This cross-sectional study included a total of 56 collegiate golfers (aged 20.89 ± 0.99 years, height of 174.55 ± 7.76 cm, and weight 68.48 ± 9.30 kg) who met the criteria, and were recruited from Hainan Normal University in June 2022. The participants' golf motor skills (1-yard putt, 10-yard putt, 25-yard chip, 130/100-yard set shot, driver, and 9-hole stroke play) were tested and the GSFMS (e.g., pelvic tilt, pelvic rotation, and torso rotation) was used.

Results

There were significant weak or moderate correlations between the variables. Furthermore, a multiple linear regression analysis found that pelvic rotation and lower-body rotation abilities can significantly predict golf skill levels, which collectively explain 31.2% of the variance in golf skill levels among collegiate golfers (Adjusted R2 = 0.312, F = 2.663, p < 0.05). Standardised β values indicate that pelvic rotation (β = 0.398) has a more substantial impact on golf skill levels than lower-body rotation (β = 0.315).

Conclusions

This study found the weak to moderate correlations between the GSFMS and golf performance, and pelvic rotation and lower-body rotation abilities, thus predicting golf skills. Our findings provide novel insights into the relationship between functional abilities and comprehensive skill performance within the context of the Gray Cook's Movement Pyramid model, and provide theoretical support and practical reference for collegiate golf motor-skill learning and sports injury prevention.

Differences and relationship in functional movement screen (FMS™) scores and physical fitness in males and female semi-professional soccer players

Background

Soccer is the world's most popular sport for both men and women. Tests of athletic and functional performance are commonly used to assess physical ability and set performance goals. The Functional Movement Screen (FMS™) is a widely used seven-test battery developed by practitioners to provide interpretable measure of movement quality. The main objective of the present study was twofold, to analyze the relationship between FMS™ results from male and female soccer players and to compare their physical performance in different tests.

Methods

A total of twenty-eight semi-professional soccer players: fourteen male (age: 21.29 ± 1.64 years; weight: 70.66 ± 5.29 kg; height: 171.86 ± 5.35 cm; BMI: 20.90 ± 2.22 kg/m2) and fourteen females (age: 20.64 ± 1.98 years; weight: 63.44 ± 5.83 kg; height: 166.21 ± 12.18 cm; BMI: 23.02 ± 2.50 kg/m2) were recruited for this study. A paired sample t-test was used for determining differences as a repeated measures analysis. All the participants conducted the following tests: The Functional Movement Test (FMS™), 10-m linear sprint, 5-0-5 COD Test and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test-Level 1 (YYIRT Level 1).

Results

A t-test with data from 505 COD (change of direction) test showed significant differences between groups, p = 0.001, d = 1.11, revealing faster times in male soccer players (2.50 ± 0.19) in respect with female soccer players (2.70 ± 0.17). Crucially, a t-test with data from FMS did not reveal significant differences between groups. Multiple regression for V02max revealed significant effects (r = 0.55, r2 = 0.30, adjusted r2 = 0.24, F = 5.21, p = 0.04 and standard error = 2.20). On the other hand, multiple regression for 10-m sprint showed significant effects (r = 0.58, r2 = 0.33, adjusted r2 = 0.28, F = 5.98, p = 0.03). The impact of these factors on the correlation between FMS™ scores and physical performance measures can vary among individuals.

Discussion/Conclusion

This study demonstrates the necessity of utilizing and applying multiple field-based tests to evaluate the movement and capabilities of physical performance in sports. Crucially, consider individual variations and factors such as training background, fitness level, and sport-specific demands when interpreting the relationship between the FMS™ and physical performance in both sexes.

Relationships between Functional Movement Quality and Sprint and Jump Performance in Female Youth Soccer Athletes of Team China

This study aimed to determine the optimal functional movement screen (FMS) cut score for assessing the risk of sport injury, and to investigate the correlations between functional movement quality and sprint and jump performance. Twenty-four (N = 24) athletes performed all tests in one day at 10−30 min intervals, and the FMS test was performed first, without a warm-up session. After a standard warm-up, athletes then completed the Y-balance Test (YBT), sprint, counter-movement jump (CMJ), and standing long jump (SLJ), in turn. For each test, the best of three attempts was recorded for further analysis. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area-under-the-curve (AUC) were used to determine the optimal FMS cut score for assessing the risk of sport injuries, and Spearman’s rank correlation analysis was used to quantify associations between functional movement scores and athletic performance. The average FMS score was 16.2 and the optimal FMS cut score for assessing the risk of sport injuries was 14.5. There were moderate relationships between total FMS score and 10−20 m sprint time (r = −0.46, p < 0.05), between In-line Lunge and 0−20 m sprint time (r = −0.47, p < 0.05), between Shoulder Mobility and 0−10 m sprint time (r = −0.48, p < 0.05), and between Trunk-stability Push-up and 10−20 m sprint time (r = −0.47, p < 0.05). Moreover, Hurdle Step score was largely correlated with 0−10 m time (r = −0.51, p < 0.05). For Y-balance, moderate correlations were observed between CMJ height and anterior asymmetry score (r = −0.47, p < 0.05) and posteromedial asymmetry score (r = −0.44, p < 0.05). However, there were no significant associations between YBT performance (asymmetric in three directions and composite score) and sprint performance (p > 0.05). Taken together, the results indicate that a FMS score of 14 is not a gold standard for assessing the risk of injury in all populations; we recommend that the FMS cut score of 14.5 should be the optimal score for assessing risk of injury in young female elite soccer players. Moreover, the FMS and YBT were introduced to assess the quality of functional movements, and they cannot be used to assess sprint and jump performance. Practitioners can use components of the FMS that have similar characteristics to specific sports to assess athletic performance.

Association between Functional Movement Screen Scores and Athletic Performance in Adolescents: A Systematic Review

This study systematically reviews the literature examining the relationship between Fundamental Movement Screen (FMS©) scores and athletic performance in youth. We searched English-language papers on PubMed/MEDLINE, SportsDiscus, CINAHL, and EBSCO for the following inclusion criteria: Participants aged between 11 and 17 years, studies had to include the Functional Movement Screen© (FMS©) and at least one of the following performance outcomes, highlighted by athletic development models (i.e., long-term athletic development (LTAD), youth physical development (YPD)): agility, speed, power, strength, endurance, and balance (YPD), fitness (LTAD), or sport-specific skill (LTAD and YPD). A total of 3146 titles were identified, with 13 relevant studies satisfying the inclusion criteria after full-text screening. The results of this systematic review suggest that children and youth who score highly on the FMS© also tend to have better scores for agility, running speed, strength, and cardiovascular endurance. The strength of associations was weak to moderate in nature. Only one study was considered or controlled for biological maturation in their analysis. These results provide evidence that, while there is a relationship between FMS© scores and tests of athletic performance in youth, they are not the same thing and should be considered conceptually different constructs.