The influence of body composition (Bcomp), and skeletal dimensions (SkD) on mobility screening conclusions is unknown.
PURPOSE: Determine if each are correlated with balance, range of motion (ROM), and Functional Movement Screen (FMS) scores in professional soccer athletes (M&F).
METHODS: Athletes provided informed consent to participate (♂18, 27±5 y, 79±9 kg | ♀16, 25±3 y, 63±4 kg). Bcomp and SkD were assessed using DXA. Balance and ROM were assessed via Y-balance (Y-bal) testing. FMS was used for movements listed in table. A two-tailed t-test and Chi-square were used for gender comparison of Y-bal and FMS respectively. Correlational analysis and Spearman’s Rank Order were used to determine if Bcomp and/or SkD correlated with Y-bal or FMS measures. Correlations were defined as weak (r >0.4), moderate (r = 0.4-0.7), and strong (r >0.7). Type I error; α=0.05.
RESULTS: Y-balance : Weak correlations were found between anterior reach and height (r = -0.36), total lean mass (TLM) (r = -0.39), leg LM (r = -0.39), and trunk LM (r = -0.39) (p<0.05). Moderate correlations were found between posterolateral reach and pelvic width below the femoral head (r = 0.42), femur length (r = 0.44), and tibia length (r = 0.51). FMS: Moderate correlations were found between height and both; deep squat (r = -0.400) and inline lunge (r = -0.63). Weak correlations were found between deep squat and both; TLM (r = -0.43) and trunk LM (r = -0.40). Strong correlations were found between inline lunge and TLM (r = -0.77), trunk LM (r = -0.73), and leg LM (r = -0.70). Pelvic width below the femoral head was found to be moderately correlated with deep squat (r = 0.40), straight leg raise (r = 0.45), and inline lunge (r = 0.60).
Table 1: Values are presented as means ± SD for Y-balance scores. Y-balance scores represent averaged means of left and right limbs. For FMS scores, the proportion of each gender that scored 1 (worst), 2, or 3 (best) for each test was calculated based on range of motion. Type I error set at α=0.05
CONCLUSION: Factors such as Bcomp and SkD likely influence diagnostic conclusions of commonly generalized mobility assessments in men and women soccer athletes. Further study is needed to determine if these variables could be used to improve testing value for improving performance and assessing injury risk.
