Functional Movement, Balance, and Strength in Professional and Amateur Soccer Players

Comparison of Functional Movement, Dynamic Balance, and Lower Extremity Muscle Strength Between Professional and Amateur Soccer Players

This observational comparative study aims to evaluate differences in functional movement quality, dynamic balance, lower extremity muscle strength, and jumping performance between professional and amateur male soccer players. A total of 144 licensed soccer players (72 professional and 72 amateur) will undergo standardized assessments, including the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Y-Balance Test (YBT), countermovement jump (CMJ), vertical jump (VJ), one-repetition maximum (1RM) strength tests, and eccentric hamstring strength assessment using the NordBord system. The findings are expected to improve understanding of how competitive level influences physical performance characteristics and may contribute to the development of evidence-based training, injury prevention, and athlete development strategies.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Athletic Performance; Muscle Strength; Functional Movement
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Physical Performance Assessment

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 144

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Istanbul
    • Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye), 34720
      • Istanbul Gelisim University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consisted of healthy licensed male soccer players actively competing in professional and amateur soccer leagues. A total of 144 participants (72 professional and 72 amateur) were recruited during the competitive season. All participants regularly participated in team training (4-5 sessions per week) and official league matches. The study population was selected to compare functional movement quality, dynamic balance, lower extremity muscle strength, and jumping performance between different competitive levels in soccer.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male licensed soccer players.
• Professional or amateur soccer players actively competing during the study period.
• Regular participation in team training (4-5 sessions per week) and official competitions.
• Ability to complete all physical performance assessments.
• Provided written informed consent before participation.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current musculoskeletal injury or pain affecting performance.
• History of lower-extremity injury preventing full participation in testing.
• Neurological, cardiovascular, or other medical conditions limiting physical performance.
• Inability or unwillingness to complete all assessment procedures.
• Withdrawal of informed consent.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Professional Soccer Players; Male licensed professional soccer players competing in professional soccer leagues. Participants underwent assessments of functional movement, dynamic balance, lower extremity muscle strength, eccentric hamstring strength, and jumping performance. No intervention was administered.	Other: Physical Performance Assessment; Standardized physical performance assessment including the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Y-Balance Test (YBT), countermovement jump (CMJ), vertical jump (VJ), one-repetition maximum (1RM) strength tests, and eccentric hamstring strength assessment using the NordBord system. No therapeutic or experimental intervention was administered.
Amateur Soccer Players; Male licensed amateur soccer players competing in amateur soccer leagues. Participants underwent the same assessment protocol as the professional group. No intervention was administered.	Other: Physical Performance Assessment; Standardized physical performance assessment including the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Y-Balance Test (YBT), countermovement jump (CMJ), vertical jump (VJ), one-repetition maximum (1RM) strength tests, and eccentric hamstring strength assessment using the NordBord system. No therapeutic or experimental intervention was administered.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Functional Movement Screen (FMS) Total Score	The total Functional Movement Screen (FMS) score was used to evaluate overall functional movement quality and identify movement limitations in professional and amateur soccer players.	Baseline (Day 1)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Y-Balance Test (YBT) Performance	Dynamic balance performance assessed using normalized reach distances in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions.	Baseline (Day 1)
Countermovement Jump (CMJ) Height	Lower-extremity explosive power measured as countermovement jump height using the Witty Microgate system.	Baseline (Day 1)
Vertical Jump (VJ) Height	Vertical jump performance assessed using the Witty Microgate system.	Baseline (Day 1)
One-Repetition Maximum (1RM) Strength	Maximum lower-extremity strength assessed using one-repetition maximum squat and deadlift tests.	Baseline (Day 1)
Eccentric Hamstring Strength	Maximum eccentric hamstring force and inter-limb asymmetry assessed using the NordBord system.	Baseline (Day 1)
Individual Functional Movement Screen Components	Scores for the seven Functional Movement Screen subtests, including deep squat, hurdle step, inline lunge, shoulder mobility, active straight-leg raise, trunk stability push-up, and rotary stability.	Baseline (Day 1)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Istanbul Gelisim University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): May 9, 2026
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Actual): July 5, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 9, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 9, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): July 14, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 14, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 9, 2026
• Last Verified: July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: IGU-FMS-2025-01

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No