Relationship between functional movement screen scores and postural stability in football players: An asymmetrical approach

Introduction: Unilateral preference is dominant due to the intensive use of sport-specific movements in football. However, little is known about the possible correlation between unilateral functional movement and the center of pressure-based postural performance. The main aim of this study is to examine the correlation between functional movement screen (FMS) and postural stability in football players from an asymmetrical perspective. Materials and Methods: Fifty professional football players (male n = 25; age 21.40 +/- 1.94 years; female n = 25; age 21.04 +/- 1.24 years) volunteered for this study. All subjects completed a FMS test consisting of seven items and postural sway measures for dominant and non-dominant sides. Spearman's correlation and the Mann-Whitney U-test were used for statistical processing. Results: A negative correlation was found between dominant and non-dominant sides FMS in scores and postural sway parameters in both male and female groups (p < .05). Hurdle step (HS) and rotary stability (RS) proved to be strong predictors of postural stability for both groups (p < .001). No significant differences were observed between dominant and nondominant sides in FMS items and postural sway parameters in both groups (p > .05). Conclusions: The correlation of the FMS and postural sway measures may be useful to identify possible postural problems in football players. Therefore, the FMS test may be preferred by practitioners and physiotherapists.