Functional Movement Patterns, Spinal Posture and Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Elite Ice Hockey Players: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate functional movement patterns and spinal posture of elite ice hockey players and to examine the association between spinal posture, prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and Functional Movement Screen (FMSTM) scores. The study included 86 elite male ice hockey players aged 18 to 38 years. Sagittal spinal curvatures were measured with a Saunders digital inclinometer, and functional movement patterns were assessed by the FMSTM. Spinal posture of the studied ice hockey players was characterized by normal kyphosis (46%) or hyperkyphosis (41%) and decreased lumbar lordosis (54%). The mean total FMSTM score was 14.8. Most of the hockey players (57%) achieved a total FMSTM score in the range of 14–17 points, whereas 28% had a total FMSTM score of <14. Seventy-two percent of the studied athletes had at least one asymmetry. Significant differences between performing the movements on the right and the left sides of the body were observed in in-line lunges (p = 0.019) and shoulder mobility sub-tests (p < 0.001). The FMSTM sub-tests performed with the lowest success rates were rotatory stability and the hurdle step. A lower score in the rotatory stability test is related to shoulder pain. It is highly important to develop appropriate exercise programs to reduce or prevent muscle imbalances in ice hockey players.

The Impact of Interaction between Body Posture and Movement Pattern Quality on Injuries in Amateur Athletes

“…Many sports, characterized by specific body postures and enforced patterns, expose practitioners to training adaptations that can impact body posture, particularly altering the spinal curvature [ 17 ]. While noticeable developmental changes in posture may not occur in mature individuals, scientific studies suggest that years of practicing such sports can lead to postural changes.…”

“…Movement patterns allow for inferences about functional asymmetry. However, this asymmetry could be related to the static posture of the body [ 17 ]. Theoretically, correct body posture, both in terms of frontal plane symmetry and the absence of spinal defects, ensures that muscles and joints function properly, enabling the display of the correct movement patterns [ 17 ].…”

“…However, this asymmetry could be related to the static posture of the body [ 17 ]. Theoretically, correct body posture, both in terms of frontal plane symmetry and the absence of spinal defects, ensures that muscles and joints function properly, enabling the display of the correct movement patterns [ 17 ]. Body posture is therefore one of the factors allowing for functional stabilization, which can be crucial in physical activity.…”

“…Body posture is therefore one of the factors allowing for functional stabilization, which can be crucial in physical activity. However, the relationship between body posture and movement patterns is still unexplored, and existing results are inconclusive [ 17 , 18 ].…”

“…There is a lack of research comprehensively addressing the quality of movement patterns and body posture as injury risk factors. As was demonstrated above, there are associations between FMS test results and the occurrence of injuries [ 15 ], as well as between FMS results and body posture [ 17 ]. Perhaps these factors could interact with each other, and better movement patterns as well body posture may act additively as protective factors against injuries.…”