The relationships between the functional movement screening test (FMS) scores and technical and physical performance parameters in female tennis players
Keywords:
Racket sports, athletic performance, screening tests, physical fitness, female athletes
Abstract
Functional Movement Screening (FMS) test is a frequently used assessment tool that evaluates the fundamental movement patterns of athletes. However, there is a paucity of information on the relationship of FMS with the performance determinants in racket sports players. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the associations between FMS test scores and technical and physical performance parameters in recreational female tennis players. Twelve players (age = 24.2 ± 3.8 years) performed serve accuracy, serve speed, countermovement jump, grip strength, agility, linear speed, FMS tests and were measured for anthropometrics. The results revealed a positive and significant (p = 0.042) correlation between FMS score and serve accuracy performance. On the other hand, the FMS scores were not significantly associated with countermovement jump (p = 0.115), grip strength (p = 0.165), agility (p = 0.093), 10m sprint (p = 0.121), and serve speed (p = 0.514) performances. The findings highlighted that the movement quality scores evaluated through the FMS may not be associated with physical performance indicators in female tennis players.
References
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Davey, P. R., Thorpe, R. D., & Williams, C. (2003). Simulated tennis matchplay in a controlled environment. Journal of Sports Sciences, 21(6), 459–467. https://doi.org/10.1080/0264041031000101926
Dennis, R. J., Finch, C. F., Elliott, B., & Farhart, P. (2008). The reliability of musculoskeletal screening tests used in cricket. Physical Therapy in Sport, 9(1), 25–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2007.09.004
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Engquist, K. D., Smith, C. A., Chimera, N. J., & Warren, M. (2015). Performance comparison of Student-Athletes and General College students on the Functional Movement Screen and the Y Balance Test. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 29(8), 2296–2303. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000000906
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Kiely, M., Warrington, G. D., McGoldrick, A., & Cullen, S. (2019). Physiological and Performance monitoring in competitive sporting environments: A review for Elite Individual sports. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 41(6), 62–74. https://doi.org/10.1519/ssc.0000000000000493
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Kovacs, M. S. (2007). Tennis physiology. Sports Medicine, 37(3), 189–198. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200737030-00001
Lockie, R. G., Jalilvand, F., Jordan, C. A., Jeffriess, M. D., & Luczo, T. M. (2015). Research-Grade Scoring for the Functional Movement Screen and Relationships with Athletic Performance Tests in Team Sport Athletes. Journal of Athletic Enhancement, 04(01). https://doi.org/10.4172/2324-9080.1000188
Lockie, R. G., Schultz, A., Jordan, C. A., Callaghan, S. J., Jeffriess, M. D., & Luczo, T. M. (2015). Can selected functional movement screen assessments be used to identify movement deficiencies that could affect multidirectional speed and jump performance? The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 29(1), 195–205. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000000613
Mero, A., Jaakkola, L., & Komi, P. V. (1991). Relationships between muscle fibre characteristics and physical performance capacity in trained athletic boys. Journal of Sports Sciences, 9(2), 161–171. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640419108729877
Okada, T., Huxel, K. C., & Nesser, T. W. (2011). Relationship between core stability, functional movement, and performance. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 25(1), 252–261. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0b013e3181b22b3e
Parchmann, C. J., & McBride, J. M. (2011). Relationship between functional movement screen and athletic performance. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 25(12), 3378–3384. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0b013e318238e916
Pluim, B. (2004). Physiological demands and injury in racket sports: differences and similarities. Science and Racket Sports III (eds. A. Lees, JF Kahn, and IW Maynard), Routledge, London, 61-69.
Roetert, E. P., Garrett, G. E., Brown, S. W., & Camaione, D. N. (1992). Performance profiles of nationally ranked junior tennis players. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 6(4), 225–231. https://doi.org/10.1519/00124278-199211000-00006
Teyhen, D. S., Shaffer, S. W., Lorenson, C. L., Halfpap, J. P., Donofry, D. F., Walker, M. J., Dugan, J. L., & Childs, J. D. (2012b). The Functional Movement Screen: A Reliability Study. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 42(6), 530–540. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2012.3838
Shultz, R., Anderson, S., Matheson, G. O., Marcello, B., & Besier, T. F. (2013b). Test-Retest and interrater reliability of the functional movement screen. Journal of Athletic Training, 48(3), 331–336. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-48.2.11
Smekal, G., Von Duvillard, S. P., Rihacek, C., Pokan, R., Hofmann, P., Baron, R., Tschan, H., & Bachl, N. (2001). A physiological profile of tennis match play. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 33(6), 999–1005. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-200106000-00020
Ulbricht, A., Fernández-Fernández, J., Méndez-Villanueva, A., & Ferrauti, A. (2016). Impact of fitness characteristics on tennis performance in elite junior tennis players. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 30(4), 989–998. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000001267
Whiteside, D., Elliott, B., Lay, B., & Reid, M. (2013). The effect of age on discrete kinematics of the elite female tennis serve. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 29(5), 573–582. https://doi.org/10.1123/jab.29.5.573
Akpinar, S., Devrilmez, E., & Kirazci, S. (2012). Coincidence-Anticipation Timing Requirements are Different in Racket Sports. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 115(2), 581–593. https://doi.org/10.2466/30.25.27.pms.115.5.581-593
Benz, J. (2010). Functional Movement Screen to predict athletic performance. Kean University.
Chang, W. D., Chou, L., Chang, N., & Chen, S. (2020). Comparison of Functional Movement Screen, Star Excursion Balance Test, and Physical Fitness in Junior Athletes with Different Sports Injury Risk. BioMed Research International, 2020, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8690540
Chimera, N. J., Smith, C. A., & Warren, M. (2015). Injury history, sex, and performance on the Functional Movement screen and Y Balance test. Journal of Athletic Training, 50(5), 475–485. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-49.6.02
Christmass, M., Richmond, S. E., Cable, N. T., Arthur, P. G., & Hartmann, P. (1998). Exercise intensity and metabolic response in singles tennis. Journal of Sports Sciences, 16(8), 739–747. https://doi.org/10.1080/026404198366371
Cook, G., Burton, L., & Hoogenboom, B. (2006). Pre-participation screening: the use of fundamental movements as an assessment of function - part 2. North American journal of sports physical therapy : NAJSPT, 1(3), 132–139.
Davey, P. R., Thorpe, R. D., & Williams, C. (2003). Simulated tennis matchplay in a controlled environment. Journal of Sports Sciences, 21(6), 459–467. https://doi.org/10.1080/0264041031000101926
Dennis, R. J., Finch, C. F., Elliott, B., & Farhart, P. (2008). The reliability of musculoskeletal screening tests used in cricket. Physical Therapy in Sport, 9(1), 25–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2007.09.004
Dorrel, B. S., Long, T., Shaffer, S. W., & Myer, G. D. (2015b). Evaluation of the functional movement screen as an injury prediction tool among active adult populations. Sports Health, 7(6), 532–537. https://doi.org/10.1177/1941738115607445
Englert, C., & Bertrams, A. (2014). Autonomy as a protective factor against the detrimental effects of ego depletion on tennis serve accuracy under pressure. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 13(2), 121–131. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197x.2014.932828
Engquist, K. D., Smith, C. A., Chimera, N. J., & Warren, M. (2015). Performance comparison of Student-Athletes and General College students on the Functional Movement Screen and the Y Balance Test. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 29(8), 2296–2303. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000000906
Faber, I. R., Bustin, P. M. J., Oosterveld, F. G. J., Elferink‐Gemser, M. T., & Sanden, M. W. G. N. D. (2015). Assessing personal talent determinants in young racquet sport players: a systematic review. Journal of Sports Sciences, 34(5), 395–410. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2015.1061201
Fernández-Fernández, J., Rivas, D. S., & Méndez-Villanueva, A. (2009). A review of the activity profile and physiological demands of tennis match play. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 31(4), 15–26. https://doi.org/10.1519/ssc.0b013e3181ada1cb
Ferrauti, A., Ulbricht, A., & Fernandez-Fernandez, J. (2018). Assessment of physical performance for individualized training prescription in tennis. In G. Di Giacomo, T. S.Ellenbecker & W. B. Kibler (Eds.), Tennis medicine: a complete guide to evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation (pp. 167-188). Springer.
Gabbe, B. (2004). Reliability of common lower extremity musculoskeletal screening tests. Physical Therapy in Sport, 5(2), 90–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1466-853x(04)00022-7
Girard, O., & Millet, G. P. (2009). Physical determinants of tennis performance in competitive teenage players. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 23(6), 1867–1872. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0b013e3181b3df89
Girard, O., & Durussel, A. (2015). Improving physical determinants of tennis performance in teenage players with repeated sprint training: Are directional changes adding value?. Medicine & Science in Tennis, 20(3).
Kiely, M., Warrington, G. D., McGoldrick, A., & Cullen, S. (2019). Physiological and Performance monitoring in competitive sporting environments: A review for Elite Individual sports. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 41(6), 62–74. https://doi.org/10.1519/ssc.0000000000000493
Kiesel, K., Plisky, P. J., & Butler, R. J. (2011b). Functional movement test scores improve following a standardized off‐season intervention program in professional football players. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 21(2), 287–292. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2009.01038.x
Kovacs, M. S. (2007). Tennis physiology. Sports Medicine, 37(3), 189–198. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200737030-00001
Lockie, R. G., Jalilvand, F., Jordan, C. A., Jeffriess, M. D., & Luczo, T. M. (2015). Research-Grade Scoring for the Functional Movement Screen and Relationships with Athletic Performance Tests in Team Sport Athletes. Journal of Athletic Enhancement, 04(01). https://doi.org/10.4172/2324-9080.1000188
Lockie, R. G., Schultz, A., Jordan, C. A., Callaghan, S. J., Jeffriess, M. D., & Luczo, T. M. (2015). Can selected functional movement screen assessments be used to identify movement deficiencies that could affect multidirectional speed and jump performance? The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 29(1), 195–205. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000000613
Mero, A., Jaakkola, L., & Komi, P. V. (1991). Relationships between muscle fibre characteristics and physical performance capacity in trained athletic boys. Journal of Sports Sciences, 9(2), 161–171. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640419108729877
Okada, T., Huxel, K. C., & Nesser, T. W. (2011). Relationship between core stability, functional movement, and performance. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 25(1), 252–261. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0b013e3181b22b3e
Parchmann, C. J., & McBride, J. M. (2011). Relationship between functional movement screen and athletic performance. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 25(12), 3378–3384. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0b013e318238e916
Pluim, B. (2004). Physiological demands and injury in racket sports: differences and similarities. Science and Racket Sports III (eds. A. Lees, JF Kahn, and IW Maynard), Routledge, London, 61-69.
Roetert, E. P., Garrett, G. E., Brown, S. W., & Camaione, D. N. (1992). Performance profiles of nationally ranked junior tennis players. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 6(4), 225–231. https://doi.org/10.1519/00124278-199211000-00006
Teyhen, D. S., Shaffer, S. W., Lorenson, C. L., Halfpap, J. P., Donofry, D. F., Walker, M. J., Dugan, J. L., & Childs, J. D. (2012b). The Functional Movement Screen: A Reliability Study. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 42(6), 530–540. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2012.3838
Shultz, R., Anderson, S., Matheson, G. O., Marcello, B., & Besier, T. F. (2013b). Test-Retest and interrater reliability of the functional movement screen. Journal of Athletic Training, 48(3), 331–336. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-48.2.11
Smekal, G., Von Duvillard, S. P., Rihacek, C., Pokan, R., Hofmann, P., Baron, R., Tschan, H., & Bachl, N. (2001). A physiological profile of tennis match play. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 33(6), 999–1005. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-200106000-00020
Ulbricht, A., Fernández-Fernández, J., Méndez-Villanueva, A., & Ferrauti, A. (2016). Impact of fitness characteristics on tennis performance in elite junior tennis players. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 30(4), 989–998. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000001267
Whiteside, D., Elliott, B., Lay, B., & Reid, M. (2013). The effect of age on discrete kinematics of the elite female tennis serve. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 29(5), 573–582. https://doi.org/10.1123/jab.29.5.573
Published
2025-12-30
How to Cite
Söğüt, M. (2025). The relationships between the functional movement screening test (FMS) scores and technical and physical performance parameters in female tennis players. International Journal of Racket Sports Science, 7(2). Retrieved from https://journal.racketsportscience.org/index.php/ijrss/article/view/164
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