Studia Kinanthropologica

Studia Kinanthropologica 2024, 25(3):113-120 | DOI: 10.32725/sk.2024.011

The influence of strength-conditioning training on changes in the functional movement screen score of triathletes

K. Bako, & V. Franek

Univerzita Mateja Bela, Fakulta telesnej výchovy, športu a zdravia

The rivalry of triathletes and the effort to push their performance limits forces them to think through their entire preparation in detail, to use time efficiently, to prepare their bodies not only for maximum performance, but also to analyse the occurrence of possible injuries. For this reason, it
is necessary to include triathlon diagnostics in the training process which serves as feedback for the triathlete and the coach on how they train and at what performance level they are. Based on this knowledge, the study verifies the impact of strength-endurance training on score
changes of Functional Movement Screen of triathletes.
The research included 8 performance triathletes from TRIAN ŠK UMB triathlon club Banská Bystrica whose age was 17.26 ± 0.59 years with a body height of 175.8 ± 7.4 cm and a body weight of 63.2 ± 5.8 kg. To obtain information about the triathletes, the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) was used and was performed without warm up, so that the obtained values were not affected. 3 external examiners who are certified experts in Functional Movement Screen were included to ensure the testing objectivity. Data recording was done manually and registered into the Functional Movement Screen Score Sheet. Input and output testing took place in the morning hours under the same conditions. The training program ran for 8 weeks in the preparatory period from 16/01/2024 to 07/03/2024 and was implemented 2 times a week.
When comparing the input and output data, the experimental group recorded a significant improvement in the average point score of the triathletes from 12.25 ± 2.17 points to 15.75 ± 1.92 points which represents an improvement in the FMS score by 28.6%. The control group also registered an average improvement from 12.25 ± 1.92 to 13 ± 1.22 points which represents an improvement of 6.1%. The results show that a strength-endurance training program will have a higher effect on changes in Functional Movement Screen scores in triathletes than a uniform training method. Due to lower number of the triathletes the further and wider investigation of the issue is recommended.

Keywords: functional movement screen; circuit training; preparatory period; triathlon

Received: September 16, 2024; Revised: November 20, 2024; Accepted: December 2, 2024; Published: January 17, 2025  Show citation