BACKGROUND: Functional movement screen (FMS) is widely utilized in judo to assess movement patterns and identify potential deficiencies. The main objective of this study was to compare FMS results between high-performance (HP) and recreational-level (RL) judo athletes. Additionally, we examined asymmetries within each group. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 49 male judo athletes, with 23 in the HP group and 26 in the RL group. Functional movement was assessed using the FMS battery, and differences between and within groups were analyzed. RESULTS: The HP group achieved a higher total FMS Score (17.09±1.38) compared to the RL group (16.50±2.42), but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.51; r=-0.29). Significant differences were observed favoring HP athletes in the hurdle step test for the left leg (P=0.013; r=0.35) and in the rotator stability test, with HP athletes scoring higher on both the left (P=0.001; r=0.47) and right sides (P=0.030; r=0.31). In contrast, RL athletes demonstrated significantly better results in the right shoulder mobility test (P=0.028; r=0.31). Within-group analysis revealed asymmetries in HP athletes in the hurdle step test (right vs. left, P=0.042; r=0.41), whereas RL athletes showed asymmetries in the in-line lunge test (right vs. left, P=0.011; r=0.48). CONCLUSIONS: The HP group demonstrated superior trunk rotational stability, suggesting that the rotator stability test may serve as a distinguishing factor among judo athletes of varying competitive levels. Additionally, shoulder mobility limitations in HP judo athletes were highlighted. The presence of movement asymmetries within both groups suggests potential imbalances that could impact injury risk and performance. These findings emphasize the importance of targeted training interventions to enhance movement quality and address asymmetries in judo athletes. Furthermore, judo appears to be an effective activity for improving functional movement even at the recreational level, as indicated by the relatively high FMS Scores among RL athletes.
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