Functional Movement Analysis in 11-13 Age Group Football Players: Total Score, Asymmetries, and Technical Skill Tests

Abstract

This study was conducted with the aim of determining the relationship between Functional Movement Scores (FMS) and technical skills in 11-13-year-old football players undergoing basic training in football schools and various youth academies, as well as identifying any asymmetries. A total of 180 football players aged between 11 and 13 participated in the research. The participants were subjected to measurements including height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), FMS, Yeagley Soccer Test, and Short Dribbling Test. The data obtained were analyzed using a statistical software package. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the football players. Spearman Rank Differences correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationship between functional movement analysis results and technical skills according to age groups. The Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test was conducted to identify asymmetries in football players. The significance level was set at 0.05. The results of the study indicate that athletes with higher FMS scores also performed better in football skills tests. Furthermore, it was found that there were asymmetries in the movement patterns of 11 and 13-year-old football players, except for Rotatory Stability scores, with left asymmetry scores being lower than right asymmetry scores.