Analysis of Functional Movement Screen Scores According to Playing Positions in Elite Junior Female Volleyball Players

Volleyball imposes substantial neuromuscular and biomechanical demands that vary by playing position, yet position-specific differences in movement quality remain underexplored. This cross-sectional study examined Functional Movement Screen scores in elite female volleyball players by playing position and interpreted findings in terms of movement quality, stability–mobility balance, and injury risk. Sixty-two elite junior (adolescent) female players (mean age 14.7 ± 1.5 years; libero n = 9; middle blocker n = 11; setter n = 14; opposite hitter n = 3; outside hitter n = 25) competing in top-tier national leagues participated voluntarily. The seven-subtest Functional Movement Screen was administered by a single Functional Movement Screen–certified evaluator under standardized conditions. Two missing subtest cells were imputed using a K-Nearest-Neighbors procedure (k = 5). Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Shapiro–Wilk normality tests, one-way analysis of variance, analysis of covariance controlling for age and body mass index, Mann–Whitney U pairwise comparisons with Hedges’ g effect sizes, chi-square tests, and Pearson correlations. Total Functional Movement Screen scores did not differ significantly across positions (F(4, 57) = 1.59, p = .19, η² = .10), but the moderate effect size and large pairwise contrasts (opposite vs. outside hedges’ g = −1.33) suggested potentially meaningful position differences. Outside hitters exhibited the highest mean (13.68 ± 1.75), and opposite hitters the lowest (11.33 ± 1.16). Using the Functional Movement Screen ≤ 14 threshold, 79.0% of athletes were classified as at-risk, peaking among opposite hitters (100%) and middle blockers (90.9%). Anthropometric correlations were weak (r ≤ .12). The findings support integrating position-tailored, movement-quality-based corrective training into volleyball performance and injury-prevention programs.  

Cite this article as: Tuna, G. (2026). Analysis of functional movement screen scores according to playing positions in elite junior female volleyball players. Research in Sports Science, 16, 0034, doi: 10.5152/rss.2026.26034.