Assessment of Body Mass Index and fundamental movement patterns as determinants of speed abilities in male college athletes using multidimensional linear regression

Aim. Speed is the fundamental motor skill in many sports. Factors determining its level are the subject of many researchers’ investigations. There are only few data on the relationship between morphological features, movement patterns, and speed abilities. The aim was to assess connections between weight-height proportions, movement patterns and the speed abilities of male college athletes. Methods. 41 men, college athletes (20.60 ± 1.22 years). The criterion of inclusion was: absence of injury during the 6 weeks before the tests, doing a sport discipline that included the speed component. Body height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated. The FMSTM test and motor trials: Long jump, 20m Linear Speed, Agility T-test were conducted. Results. There were no simple relationships between the FMSTM score and motor tests, only the Deep Squat test significantly correlated with the Long Jump. Higher body weight and BMI value were associated with worse time at 20m Linear Speed. BMI proved to be better predictors of the results of speed tests (20 linear speed, Agility T-test) rather than movement patterns. Conclusions. Speed abilities are associated with many other factors that have a greater impact on the speed. The correct pattern of the Deep Squat allows to release more power of the lower limbs in the Long Jump. Maintaining the correct body mass in relation to the body height determines the possibility of achieving better results in speed tests.