The Relationship Between Functional Movement Screening Scores and Neuromuscular Asymmetry Performance in Football Players: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of Functional Movement Screening (FMS) components on neuromuscular asymmetry performance in football players. A total of 44 male football players (mean age: 22.93±2.69 years; height: 1.77±0.03 m; body mass: 75.29±2.38 kg; sports experience: 9.84±1.71 years) participated. The study was conducted over two sessions, 48 hours apart. In the first session, anthropometric measurements and FMS tests were performed. In the second session, dominant, non-dominant, and bilateral countermovement jump (CMJ) tests were applied to determine neuromuscular asymmetry levels. Statistical analyses were conducted using JASP 0.18 software. The relationship between FMS scores and neuromuscular asymmetry was evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficient, while linear regression determined the effect size. A significant negative correlation was found between neuromuscular asymmetry and FMS components, including deep squat (r=-0.548), hurdle step (r=-0.639), inline lunge (r=-0.429), active leg raise (r=-0.373), and total FMS score (r=-0.507) (p<0.05). Neuromuscular asymmetry also negatively impacted FMS scores (p<0.05). A one-unit increase in neuromuscular asymmetry significantly reduced deep squat (-0.02), hurdle step (-0.04), inline lunge (-0.03), active leg raises (-0.02), and total FMS scores (-0.09) (p<0.05). In conclusion, the study identified a negative relationship between FMS scores and neuromuscular asymmetry levels in football players, indicating that movement quality influences neuromuscular asymmetry. Both FMS and neuromuscular asymmetry play critical roles in athletic performance and injury prevention among athletes.

Keywords

• Football
• Functional movement screen (FMS)
• Neuromuscular asymmetry
• Risk of injury

Futbolcularda Fonksiyonel Hareket Ekranı Skorları ile Nöromüsküler Asimetri Performansı Arasındaki İlişkinin İncelenmesi: Kesitsel Bir Çalışma

Öz

Bu araştırmanın amacı, futbolcularda fonksiyonel hareket taraması (FMS) bileşenlerinin nöromüsküler asimetri performansına etkisini incelemektir. Çalışmaya 44 erkek futbolcu (yaş: 22.93±2.69 yıl; boy: 1.77±0.03 m; ağırlık: 75.29±2.38 kg; spor geçmişi: 9.84±1.71 yıl) katılmıştır. Araştırma 48 saat arayla iki seansta gerçekleştirilmiştir. İlk seansta antropometrik ölçümler ve FMS testi uygulanırken, ikinci seansta dominant, non-dominant ve bilateral countermovement jump (CMJ) testleri yapılmıştır. Sporcuların nöromüsküler asimetri seviyeleri CMJ testlerinden belirlenmiştir. Analizler JASP 0.18 programıyla gerçekleştirilmiş, Pearson korelasyon katsayısı ve doğrusal regresyon kullanılmıştır. Sonuçlar, nöromüsküler asimetri ile deep squat (r=-0.548), hurdle step (r=-0.639), inline lunge (r=-0.429), active leg raise (r=-0.373) ve toplam FMS puanı (r=-0.507) arasında negatif ve anlamlı bir ilişki olduğunu göstermiştir (p<0.05). Nöromüsküler asimetrideki bir birimlik artışın, deep squat (-0.02), hurdle step (-0.04), inline lunge (-0.03), active leg raise (-0.02) ve toplam FMS puanını (-0.09) negatif yönde etkilediği bulunmuştur (p<0.05). Sonuç olarak, futbolcularda FMS ile nöromüsküler asimetri düzeyi arasında negatif bir ilişki olduğu belirlenmiştir. Hareket kalitesinin nöromüsküler asimetrik performansı etkilediği ve her iki değişkenin de atletik performans ile sakatlanma riskinde önemli rol oynadığı tespit edilmiştir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Fonksiyonel hareket taraması (FMS)
• Futbol
• Nöromüsküler asimetri
• Sakatlanma riski

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