Relationship Between Functional Movement Screen Scores and Musculoskeletal Injuries in Youth Male Soccer Players: One-year Retrospective Observation

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the success of functional movement screening FMS tests performed at the beginning of the season in youth male players for predicting musculoskeletal injuries MSI that occurred in the same season. Methods: Fifty seven elite youth male soccer players were included in the study. Age, height and body weight of the participants were 15.95±2.44 years, 170.87±12.67 cm and 61.28±13.69 kg, respectively. Medical records of the participants for the 2016–2017 season were investigated retrospectively. FMS tests results conducted at the beginning of the season and MSIs encountered in the relevant season were recorded. Results: Inline lunge, active straight leg raises, and composite FMS scores were statistically different 0.05˃p according to age groups. The composite FMS score increased with increasing age. The results revealed that no FMS test score can predict the rate of MSI that may occur during the season p˃0.05 . Conclusion: It has been observed that composite FMS score increases with age. It can be said that FMS test scores at the beginning of the season provides useful information in determining musculoskeletal system asymmetries and dysfunctions but it cannot be used to predict injuries that occur during the season in youth male soccer players. In addition, the study results indicated that the composite FMS score is not a factor that increases the time loss, but that asymmetries can be a factor that increases the time loss.