Postural Stability of Students of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the point values of movement patterns using the FMS™ method and to compare them amongst various groups of students of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice (UPJS). The group consisted of students of P.J. Šafárik University (n = 30, 21 women and 9 men). The average body height was 170,1 cm, average age was 20,9 years of age, average body weight without distinguishing gender was 65,8 kg and average BMI was 22,6. FMS™ testing was made up of 10 standard tests of which 7 tests had scores from 0 to 3 points. The presence of pain in predetermined movements was evaluated in three additional tests. The average overall score in the FMS™ test, evaluating the entire group regardless of gender, was 16.1 points. When comparing the results achieved in the tests amongst groups of subjects we demon-strated a statistically significant higher level in groups of men (FMSm = 2,78) than in groups of women (FMSf = 1,24; p ≤ 0,01). When comparing the results between students of the “Sports and Health” area of study (FMSs = 2,33) and other students of UPJS (FMSu = 1,43), we demonstrated a statistically higher level in students of the sport field. Statistically significant differences between the studied groups were shown by analytical evaluation of scores achieved in each FMS system test. We have shown a higher statistically significant level in the average test score of the torso stability click test in the group of men (FMSm = 2,78) than in the group of women (FMSf = 1,24; p ≤ 0,01; graph 1). We have also shown a statistically significant higher score in the torso stability click test in the student group SAR (FMSs = 2,33) than in the group of students of other UPJS faculties (FMSu = 1,43; p ≤ 0,01 graph 1). We can conclude that our results are comparable with similar studies published abroad. Higher points of joint mobility and movement patterns of the lower extremities have been reported in females sample. For men, we observed a higher points value in the evaluation of trunk stability. Which we attributed to the development of muscles of the upper body of men as an expression of muskulinity contrary unhappiness with appearens in women (gynoid type) motivates to work on lower body. We contemplate that the above-mentioned reality influenced the point values of our sample. We are aware of the need for further research in this area with the aim of better understanding the factors underlying a given reality.