Comparison of Functional Movement Analysis (FMS) and Core Performance in Children Who Attended and Didn't Attend Karate Training

Abstract

Karate athletes perform many high-intensity actions during matches. However, as with all sports disciplines, training can result in overload or injury. To minimize the risk, it is necessary to make a reliable assessment. The Functional Movement Screen (FMS ™) can be used as a reliable clinical tool to predict athletes' injury risk. The aim of this study is to examine the functional movement scores of school-age children attending karate sports training and to compare them with the control group. Secondly, core strength and core endurance parameters were evaluated. The research was conducted on children aged 8-11 who have been attending karate training for at least one year within the Ministry of Youth and Sports (n=14) and who have just started this education (maximum 2 weeks) (n=14). Among the children included in the assessment, the mean age of the group that received karate training was 9.35 ± 2.12 years, and the mean age of the group that new beginners were 9.78 ± 0.8 years. There was a significant difference in hurdle step (both sides), shoulder mobility (right side), trunk stability push-up, rotary stability (both sides) and total FMS score between groups (p<0,05). In addition, a significant difference was found between the groups in the core flexion endurance parameter (p<0,05). As a result, we can say that karate training improves physical fitness in school-age children.