Comparison of FMS Tests Between Female and Male Volleyball Players

Comparison of FMS tests between female and male volleyball players with possible implications on volleyball performance https://doi.org/10.5817/CZ.MUNI.P210-9631-2020-1 Maja Ban1, Tomislav Đurković2, Nenad Marelić2 1PhD student at Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Croatia 2Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Croatia ABSTRACT Purpose: The main goal of this study is to determine possible differences in the range and quality of movement between senior male and female volleyball players of HAOK Mladost. Methods: Respondents, all right-handed and healthy, were members of the senior volleyball team of HAOK Mladost (female n=24, male n=17). The testing was conducted during the transition period, between the first and second competition period. We used seven tests, all part of standard FMS protocol: Deep Squat (DS), Hurdle Step (HS), In-Line Lunge (ILL), Shoulder Mobility (SM), Active Straight Leg Raise (ASLR), Trunk Stability Push-up (TSPU), Rotary Stability (RS), with 12 measured variables (left and right side for five bilateral tests plus DS and TSPU). Educated staff at the Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb conducted the testing. The examination of significance of the differences between senior male and female volleyball players was conducted by using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Statistical analysis showed significant difference in three tests: In – Line Lunge Left (ILLL), z= -2,11, p=0,03, with moderate effect size (r=0.33), Active Straight Leg Raise Left (ASLRL), z= -2,58, p=0,01, with moderate to strong effect size (r=0.4) and Stability Push-up (TSPU) z= -3,68, p=0,00, with strong effect size (r=0.58). Conclusion: Statistically significant difference was determined in the range and quality of movement in three measured variables. Male volleyball players achieved better results in two tests: In-Line Lunge Left (ILLL) and Stability Push-up (TSPU). That addresses to a higher ability to keep the balance during lunges (reaction on short balls during reception or defence phase of the game) and considerably higher ability to maintain the stability of the trunk in the transfer of force from the upper extremities to the lower (during block) and vice versa (during spike). It is interesting to note that female volleyball players achieved a significantly better rating in the Active Straight Leg Raise Left (ASLRL) test, suggesting a better flexibility of the left hamstrings and better right hip mobility which enables higher capacity in performing elements which require extension, which include almost all volleyball elements (hitting, serve receive and transition into offense, defence and transition into counterattack and blocking, smashing and jump serve). Keywords: stability; mobility; FMS; volleyball skills; female; male 11 Introduction A number of factors can affect the level of training of an individual player or an entire volleyball team, thus also the competitive results that a player (and team) achieve. Health status and good motor and functional abilities represent basic anthropological characteristics of volleyball players which enable them to be well trained, while also prerequisites for specific technical-tactical performance that can be more or less efficient. Gambetta defines athleticism as “the result of movement skills development that involves learning proper techniques for agility, balance, coordination, flexibility, metabolic training, power, reaction time, speed, strength, and strength endurance” (Ransdell et al., 2016). Generally, the implementation of a successful individual and team tactics primarily depends on technical capacities of individual players. Optimal execution of technical elements in volleyball requires knowledge – “skills”, and a certain level of morphological characteristics and motor and functional abilities. In order for all the mentioned factors to be unified in “producing” correct technical performances, it is thus required to possess mobility and stability of different regions of the body. The correct, i.e. most effective, performance of technique is at the same time the best possible prevention from injury. Reduced mobility and stability of certain regions of the body can result in incorrect movement mechanisms that can ultimately lead to a variety of chronic difficulties. Although volleyball seems as a sport with symmetric load on the athlete’s body, a series of research have registered mechanisms which may cause asymmetries in the range and quality of movements, and eventually also injuries (Kugler et al., 1996; Wang & Cochrane, 2001; Salci et al., 2004; Tillman et al., 2004; Markou & Vagenas 2006; Lobietti et al., 2010; Cuckova & Suss, 2014; Zohreh & Ashraf, 2016). According to the authors of the mentioned research, such asymmetries are primarily generated by unilateral smashing and serving techniques, unilateral landings following smashes, jump serves and blocks or take-off phase prior to a smash or a jump rotation serve (Khan & Bahr, 2003). Cook developed the functional movement screen (FMS) as a means to qualitatively assess functional movement. The FMS is a series of 7 movements that are scored on a 4-point scale of 0–3, based on the execution of the specific movement pattern (Cook, 2010). In order to determine stability and mobility, each test is numerically evaluated using grades between zero and 3, which means that an examinee can achieve a maximum result of 21 points. When an athlete is unable to perform (injury), he scores zero points. When scoring 1 point, an athlete does not have a functional base of stability and mobility, indicating that a sports physician should further assess flexibility and strength in more detail. A score of 2 points does not necessarily require an examination by a sports physician, but a physical conditioning coach creates special training programs in order to improve stability and (or) mobility of the desired part of the body. An assessment of 3 points indicates optimal stability and mobility in particular joints (Cook, 2010). The FMS has good to excellent intra-rater reliability and is recommended for use during pre-participation screening to identify asymptomatic athletes who may benefit from injury prevention training (Anderson et al, 2015). Some authors found that players with a score of 14 or less have a substantially greater chance of injury (Kiesel et al., 2007; Chorba, 2010). This methodology was also used for research in different team sports games: volleyball, bas- ketball, soccer and handball (Cuckova & Suss, 2014; Shojaedin et al., 2014; Slodownik et al., 2014; Sprague et al., 2014; Đurković et al. 2017). Table 1 demonstrates the potential implications of the measurement for each test in the FMS protocol on the performance of volleyball technique. 12 Table 1 Potential implications of the measurement for each test in the FMS protocol on the performance of volleyball technique IMPLICATION ON VOLLEYBALL TECHNIQUES It is manifested during the execution of all volleyball elements, particularly those which require a quick reaction – in the preparation phase of serve receive and defence (explosive first step, forward lunge, side lunge), as well as in extreme movements while performing defensive elements of technique (“sprawl”, “dive” in male or roll in female volleyball). Mobility of the upper part of the body become noticeable during the preparation phase for a smash (or a jump spin serve) where DEEP SQUAT there is a substantial extension and lateral flexion of the trunk. Mobility of the shoulders is also relevant in the performance of overhand and forearm passes (inability to connect the forearms), smashing, serving and blocking. Mobility of the hips, knees and ankle joints is important in the final phase of the smash, as there is a jump landing which is, according to certain research, performed as much as 50% on only one foot. It is manifested as the ability to execute a lunge of greater amplitude in all direc- HURDLE tions (mostly forward and diagonally forward) and it becomes noticeable in the STEP preparation phase for serve receive (in short serves) or for defence. As the performance of this test requires mobility and stability of the joint ankle, IN-LINE a greater ability of dorsiflexion (better angle) contributes primarily to a better exe- LUNGE cution of the preparation phase for a smash and jump serve. It is manifested in the preparation phase, basic phase (contact with the ball) and final phase for a smash (serve). As the smash (serve) technique includes various solutions from different zones (straight shot, shot with an emphasis on internal SHOULDER rotation, shot with an emphasis on external rotation), in addition to considerable MOBILITY angular speed at the shoulder joint, good mobility of the shoulder and the shoulder blade are a prerequisite for a good technical performance of a shot, as well as for the ability to generate maximum force (which is manifested by the speed of the ball). In volleyball practice injuries often occur as a result of an unfavourable relation- ship between strength and flexibility of both hamstrings when strength and flexi- ACTIVE bility are dominant in the front hamstring (very often in volleyball). Muscles of the STRAIGHT upper leg back hamstring also assist in extending the trunk from the position of LEG RAISE a forward bend (preparation phase for smashing, serving and blocking), as well as affect the stability of the lower part of the back. Considering that during this test the trunk stabilizers symmetrically transfer strength from the upper towards the lower towards the lower extremities, and vice TRUNK versa, this is manifested in volleyball as the correct position for a player during STABILITY blocking (active block). During smashes and serves, by correctly “overlapping” PUSH-UP the ball, trunk muscles are activated, and force generated from the entire body is thus transferred to the smash/serve arm. A quality performance of this test allows for a complex movement of transferring energy from one segment of the body to another, through the trunk. This requires ROTATORY trunk stability through all the axis of the body during the joint movement of the STABILITY upper and lower extremities.

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