Motor Skills, Anthropometrical Characteristics and Functional Movement in Elite Young Soccer Players

Abstract

few years have documented greater distances covered, higher-intensity of activity and faster sprinting speeds. These physical demands of the game have necessitated improvements in general cardiovascular training [2] and also uncovered the need for improved training directed towards the specific physical skill components required to attain optimum performance [8-10]. This implies that an objective criterion beyond the opinion of experts is needed to help select optimal youth soccer players. Pre-screenings that assess functional movement quality, balance, speed, power and agility have become increasingly significant to reduce injury risk during play and predict performance [11-13]. A thorough assessment of potential soccer players should include evaluation of their physical characteristics, motor skills, functional movement ability in addition to their technical knowledge of the game, psychological profile or state, and experience level. The assessment of motor skills of soccer players is not new, as there is a significant relationship between skilled play and acceleration ability, maximum speed and running performance when changing directions [14,15]. Several studies have dealt with the anthropometrical characteristics and body composition of elite young players [8-10]. Players of different positions have different anthropometrical and physiological characteristics [16]. For example, a forward covers four times more distance at maximum speed (sprinting) than a defender will cover [17]. Compared to outfield players, goalkeepers are taller and weigh more, with longer arms, thighs and calves, and wider epicondyles on the humeri and femurs [13]. Due to the ever increasing physical requirements and differing demands of specific positions within the sport, not only sport-specific but also position-specific performance programs need to be defined and examined. Hughes et al. [18] has defined key factors of performance in the different positions: physiological, technical (defending and attacking) and psychological. These factors show the most significant differences when outfield players are compared to goalkeepers [18]. Abstract This study examined functional movement patterns, anthropometrical characteristics and motor skills in elite young soccer players using the well-established Functional Movement Screen TM system (FMS™). Sixty elite male soccer players participated (age 16.7 ± 2.3 y, height 185.4 ± 5.7 cm, weight 82.8 ± 6.7 kg, BMI 24.1 ± 1.3 kg/m 2) from four age-based teams. There were 7 Goalkeepers (GK), 17 Defenders (DEF), 27 Midfielders (MID) and 9 Forwards (FW). We measured 5 m, 10 m, and 30 m sprint times and participants' vertical jump height and long jump distance. The FMS™ was used to measure functional movement ability. Our study indicated that 5 of the 7 measured variables were significant when considering position assignment of advanced youth soccer players. These are the 5 m sprint, 30 m sprint, BMI, vertical jump, and FMS™ score. Functional movement ability may be useful in the physical development of soccer skills and performance. A FMS™ score of ≤ 14 was found in 28% of players and asymmetry was noted in 41%, both considered an important risk factor of injury.