ASYMMETRIC FMS PATTERNS IN
GERMANY’S BUNDESLIGA SOCCER PLAYERS
Oliver Schmidtlein1, Matthias Keller1, Eduard Kurz1,2
1OSPHYSIO
Training & Therapie Munich, Germany and 2Department of Sports Medicine, University of Wuppertal, Germany
Introduction & Background
Results
In addition to muscle weaknesses and imbalances, inadequate
coordination and previous injuries, it appears that fundamental
movement pattern quality is an important predisposing factor
in suffering a non-contact or overuse injury. Uncovering
asymmetries might be a promising approach for adjusting
training programs and thus reducing or preventing overuse
injuries.
The mean overall FMS score among all athletes was 14.3 ± 2.2
(range: 9-20) points with the most frequent score of 14
(37%). The distribution of the total FMS scores for each
movement is presented in figure 2. Interestingly, Deep Squat
was the pattern performed most poorly (0 or 1 as a score)
with a relative frequency of 34.2%, while Active Straight Leg
Raise showed the highest frequency of 3 as a score (42.1%).
Fifteen (39%) were classified as WEP with a mean of 16.3 ±
1.4, whereas POP scored 12.9 ± 1.4 points respectively (table
1). Only the POP group showed significant differences between
unilateral movement patterns performed for dominant (10.6 ±
1.6) and non-dominant (9.7 ± 1.4) sides (p = 0.003, figure 3).
This investigation aimed at assessing complex fundamental
movements among elite-level soccer players by use of the
Functional Movement Screen™ (FMS). A second aim was to
investigate side-specific differences as revealed from the FMS
testing in athletes who performed well and who did not.
1,0
0,9
Frequency of FMS score [% of sample]
Aim
0,8
0,7
0,6
3
0,5
2
0,4
0 or 1
0,3
0,2
0,1
0,0
Squat
Hurdle
Lunge
Shoulder
ASLR
Trunk
Rotatory
Figure 2. Distribution of individual FMS patterns (N = 38) expressed as a
percentage of sample scoring 3 (uncompensated), 2 (compensated
pattern) and 1 (unable) or 0 (painful execution) points.
POP
Figure 1. Examiner recording the score of the Inline Lunge.
12,5
**
FMS unilateral
12,0
Methods
A total number of 38 professional soccer players (table 1)
voluntarily participated in this study. Ten (26%) of the athletes
recruited were also members of their national teams. Subjects
underwent full FMS testing arriving at an individual FMS score
ranging between 0 and 21 (3 points per task).
Table 1. Demographic and FMS score data (mean ± SD (range))
Group
N Age [yrs] Height [cm] Weight [kg] BMI [kg/m²] FMS score
Well-pattern (WEP) 15
25 ± 4
184 ± 6
80 ± 8
24 ± 1
16 ± 1
group [> 14]
Poor-pattern (POP)
group [≤ 14]
All subjects
(15-20)
23
23 ± 3
183 ± 6
79 ± 7
24 ± 1
38
24 ± 4
183 ± 6
79 ± 7
24 ± 1
13 ± 1
(9-14)
14 ± 2
(9-20)
WEP and POP athletes did not differ in age, height, weight, and
BMI values (p > 0.05, Student‘s T test for unpaired samples).
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
11,0
10,5
10,0
9,5
dominant
non-dominant
Figure 3. FMS score values of the unilateral tests performed for the poorpattern (POP) subgroup (N = 23).
Values are mean ± SD, ** p = 0.003 (Wilcoxon’s test, exact, 2-tailed).
Discussion & Conclusion
Asymmetries are known to be present in soccer players [5,6].
Athletes with poor overall scores were more likely to show
asymmetries in their unilateral FMS patterns. On the basis of
such results, individualized unilateral corrective exercise
strategies might be recommended. While most corrective
exercises are conceptualized bilaterally, unilaterally performed
exercises may in fact be more beneficial and efficient as an
adjunct to complex soccer training regimes – particularly for
those players who show impaired movement patterns.
Ghent 2012
3rd World Conference on Science and Soccer (WCSS)
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3rd World Conference on Science and Soccer (WCSS)
All participants were further assessed according to their FMS
unilateral patterns (5 tasks; range: 0-15) to investigate
symmetry between dominant (i.e. preferential limb used to
kick a ball [1,2]) and non-dominant sides. We proved
symmetry within both, well-pattern (WEP, FMS composite
score > 14) and poor-pattern (POP ≤ 14 [3,4]) subgroups.
11,5
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