title: Relationships between functional movement screen scores, maturation and physical performance in young soccer players.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between functional movement screen scores, maturation and physical performance in young soccer players. Thirty males (11-16 years) were assessed for maturation, functional movement screen scores and a range of physical performance tests (squat jump, reactive strength index protocol and reactive agility cut). Older players significantly outperformed younger participants in all tests (P < 0.05; effect sizes = 1.25-3.40). Deep overhead squat, in-line lunge, active straight leg raise and rotary stability test were significantly correlated to all performance tests. In-line lunge performance explained the greatest variance in reactive strength index (adjusted R(2) = 47%) and reactive agility cut (adjusted R(2) = 38%) performance, whilst maturation was the strongest predictor of squat jump performance (adjusted R(2) = 46%). This study demonstrated that variation of physical performance in youth soccer players could be explained by a combination of both functional movement screen scores and maturation.
authors.affiliation: a Cardiff School of Sport , Cardiff Metropolitan University , Cardiff , UK.
authors.forename: Rhodri S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Lloyd
authors.forename: Jon L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Radnor
authors.forename: Benjamin C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Rhodes
authors.forename: Avery D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Faigenbaum
authors.forename: Gregory D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Myer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000502:physiology*; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: children; functional movement screen; muscular strength; reactive agility; squat jump