The Effect of Taekwondo Training on Children’s Functional Movement Screen (FMS) Scores and Athletic Performance Parameters

Abstract

Taekwondo sport has a significant risk of injury. This can be reduced with a pre-accession screening tool that can identify the risk of injury. The Functional Movement Screen (FMS®) is used as a reliable clinical tool to predict athletes' injury risk. The aim of this prospective, single-blind observational study is to investigate the effect of taekwondo on functional movement analysis (FMS®) scores, balance, strength and vertical jump in school-age children. The research was conducted on athletes aged 7-18 (n=30) who have been attending taekwondo training for at least one year (n=15) and who have just started this education (maximum 2 weeks) (n=15). The demographic data of the children (age, gender, bmi*) were recorded, and the evaluation of FMS, balance, strength and vertical jump was applied by an evaluator who did not know which group the children were in. Among the children included in the assessment, the mean age of the group that received taekwondo training was 10.33± 2.12 years, and the mean age of the group that had just started education was 11.73± 2.12 years. No significant difference was found between groups in FMS®, strength, balance and vertical jump measurements (p˃0.05). As a result, taekwondo training alone in children is insufficient in reducing the risk of injury and improving physical fitness parameters. We think that it would be appropriate to give additional corrective exercises together with taekwondo training. Moreover, this result emphasized the importance of pre-participation screenings once again.