Functional Movement Screen® evaluation: comparison between elite and non-elite young swimmers

Abstract

Functional Movement Screen® (FMS®) allows to assess athlete's movement functionality. Movement funcionality in young elite and non-elite swimmers may predict future performance. The purpose of this study is to compare FMS® scores between young elite and non-elite swimmers, and to verify their relationship with 100m freestyle performance. Thirty-two elite swimmers (age: 14.99 ± 0.13 years old; height: 1.71 ± 0.02 m; body mass: 61.28 ± 1.27 kg; Fédération Internationale de Natation [FINA] points: 651.59 ± 6.44) and 17 non-elite swimmers (age: 14.65 ± 0.19 years old; height: 165.12 ± 2.03 cm; body mass: 57.22 ± 2.43 kg; FINA points: 405.71 ± 21.41) volunteered to participate in this cross-sectional study. Individual-test FMS® scores, FMS® composite score and FINA points were considered for analysis. Elite swimmers achieved higher Deep Squat (p = 0.005; ES = 0.99), Right Hurdle Step (p = 0.005; ES = 0.99), Left Hurdle Step (p = 0.002; ES = 1.08), Trunk Stability Push Up (p < 0.001; ES = 1.44) and FMS® composite (p < 0.001; ES = 1.35) scores compared to non-elite swimmers. FMS® composite scores were positively related with 100m freestyle performance (r = 0.596, r2 = 40.9%, p < 0.001). Young non-elite swimmers reveal functional deficits in tasks involving mobility of the hips, knees and ankles, and stabilization of the core and spine. Higher movement functionality is positively related with 100m freestyle performance. Swimming coaches should consider these deficits and their relationship with performance to differentiate exercise prescription between this populations.