Relationship Between Individual and Composite FMS™ Scores with the Anthropometric and Physical Characteristics of Elite Touch (Rugby) Players

Abstract

Purpose: To describe and compare the movement patterns, anthropometric and physical characteristics of male and female Touch players; and examine the relationships between Functional Movement Screening (FMS™) scores and the anthropometric and physical characteristics. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with 35 elite Touch players (18 males, age = 24.7 ± 4.9 years; 17 females, age = 26.7 ± 5.2 years). Anthropometric (stature, body mass) and physical characteristics (sprint times, glycolytic change-of-direction test, and countermovement jump (CMJ) flight time and peak power) were assessed alongside movement patterns using the FMS™ battery. Data were analysed for between-sex differences (independent t-test, Mann–Whitney U) and relationships (Spearman’s correlation coefficient). Results: Between-sex differences in body mass (t = 6.082, P < 0.001), stature (t = 9.247, P < 0.001), CMJ flight time (t = 3.576, P = 0.001), relative CMJ peak power (t = 6.578, P < 0.001), 10 m sprint time (t = 15.861, P < 0.001), glycolytic change of direction test time (t = − 11.831, P < 0.001) and Yo–Yo IR1 (t = 6.842, P < 0.001) were observed. There were minimal differences for deep squat (Z = − 1.036, P = 0.443), in-line lunge (Z = − 1.284, P = 0.303), shoulder mobility (Z = − 0.173, P = 0.883), trunk stability push-up (Z = − 0.896, P = 0.483) and rotary stability (Z = − 1.537, P = 0.273). The correlation between total and individual FMS™ scores with anthropometric and physical characteristics ranged from trivial-to-moderate (r = − 0.502 to 0.488). Conclusion: The lack of difference for the FMS™ composite score and small-to-trivial differences in individual scores allows a comparison between mixed populations within Touch. Whilst many of the correlations were trivial-to-small, there were differences between sexes in the associations and evidence that improvements in functional deficiencies could translate into improved physical performance.