This study examined the effects of varying volumes of strength training on Functional Movement Screen™ (FMS™) outcomes in 12 elite soccer players. Participants were divided into two groups, ES1 and ES2, based on training frequency, age (over 18), and the exclusion of goalkeepers owing to differing training protocols. The ES1 group had a mean age of 23.06 ± 2.60 years, a weight of 76.35 ± 7.88 kg, and a height of 178 ± 6.06 cm, while the ES2 group had a mean age of 21.08 ± 2.18 years, a weight of 74.93 ± 3.13 kg, and a height of 179.92 ± 5.62 cm. Over the 9-week period, ES1 completed two strength training sessions per week, while ES2 completed four. The initial average FMS™ score for both groups was 12.92 ± 2.57 points, which improved to 15.42 ± 1.83 points by the program's conclusion. ES1's score increased from 13.50 ± 1.38 to 14.67 ± 1.37 (Cohen's d = 0.85), indicating a medium effect. ES2's score improved from 12.33 ± 3.44 to 16.17 ± 2.04 (Cohen's d = 1.35), indicating a large effect. These findings suggest that both training frequencies effectively improved FMS™ scores, with higher frequency leading to more substantial gains. These results indicate that both training frequencies effectively improved FMS™ scores, with the higher frequency group (ES2) showing more pronounced gains. The effect sizes in both groups demonstrate that the changes were not only statistically significant but also practically meaningful. The improvements in FMS™ scores highlight the positive influence of systematic strength training on players' functional movement abilities. The ES2 group, which completed four sessions per week, achieved greater progress, suggesting that a higher training frequency may lead to better outcomes in the FMS™ test. However, the potential risk of overtraining should also be considered. Based on these findings, we recommend that coaches tailor training frequency to the individual needs and capacities of athletes. While increasing training frequency can yield more significant improvements, it is crucial to ensure proper management and monitoring to avoid the risk of overtraining.
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