DIFFERENCES IN THE FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT PATTERNS OF YOUNG FEMALE ATHLETES BASED ON THEIR SELECTED SPORTS DISCIPLINE

Abstract

Functional Movement Screening (FMS) consists of seven tests that provide a simple yet reliable assessment of mobility, stability, and overall musculoskeletal function. The study included 40 girls aged 9 to 12 years, who were divided into two groups according to the sport they practiced karate and artistic gymnastics. The karate group consisted of members of Karate Club Konjuh, while the gymnastics group included members of Gymnastics Club Salto. All participants were healthy and had not sustained any injuries in the previous six months, which enabled an accurate assessment of their functional status. The aim of the study was to examine whether there were differences in the quality of fundamental movement patterns between the athletes. The tests enabled the identification of potential asymmetries or weaknesses that may arise as a result of sport-specific training loads. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics within the SPSS 26 software package. Levene’s test was used to assess the homogeneity of variances between the groups, while an independent samples t-test was applied to determine differences between the groups. The results revealed statistically significant differences in the Active Straight Leg Raise (ASLR) and Rotary Stability (ROT) tests. The findings suggest that tailored and individualized training programs may play an important role in improving functional movement patterns and reducing the risk of injury in young athletes.