TY - JOUR
T1 - Effect of leg dominance on the center-of-mass kinematics during an inside-of-the-foot kick in amateur soccer players.
AU - Zago, Matteo
AU - Motta, Andrea Francesco
AU - Mapelli, Andrea
AU - Annoni, Isabella
AU - Galvani, Christel
AU - Sforza, Chiarella
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - Soccer kicking kinematics has received wide interest in literature. However, while the instep‐kick has been
broadly studied, only few researchers investigated the inside‐of‐the‐foot kick, which is one of the most frequently
performed techniques during games. In particular, little knowledge is available about differences in kinematics when
kicking with the preferred and non‐preferred leg. A motion analysis system recorded the three‐dimensional coordinates
of reflective markers placed upon the body of nine amateur soccer players (23.0 ± 2.1 years, BMI 22.2 ± 2.6 kg/m2), who
performed 30 pass‐kicks each, 15 with the preferred and 15 with the non‐preferred leg. We investigated skill kinematics
while maintaining a perspective on the complete picture of movement, looking for laterality related differences. The
main focus was laid on: anatomical angles, contribution of upper limbs in kick biomechanics, kinematics of the body
Center of Mass (CoM), which describes the whole body movement and is related to balance and stability. When kicking
with the preferred leg, CoM displacement during the ground‐support phase was 13% higher (p<0.001), normalized
CoM height was 1.3% lower (p<0.001) and CoM velocity 10% higher (p<0.01); foot and shank velocities were about
5% higher (p<0.01); arms were more abducted (p<0.01); shoulders were rotated more towards the target (p<0.01, 6°
mean orientation difference).
We concluded that differences in motor control between preferred and non‐preferred leg kicks exist,
particularly in the movement velocity and upper body kinematics. Coaches can use these results to provide effective
instructions to players in the learning process, moving their focus on kicking speed and upper body behavior.
AB - Soccer kicking kinematics has received wide interest in literature. However, while the instep‐kick has been
broadly studied, only few researchers investigated the inside‐of‐the‐foot kick, which is one of the most frequently
performed techniques during games. In particular, little knowledge is available about differences in kinematics when
kicking with the preferred and non‐preferred leg. A motion analysis system recorded the three‐dimensional coordinates
of reflective markers placed upon the body of nine amateur soccer players (23.0 ± 2.1 years, BMI 22.2 ± 2.6 kg/m2), who
performed 30 pass‐kicks each, 15 with the preferred and 15 with the non‐preferred leg. We investigated skill kinematics
while maintaining a perspective on the complete picture of movement, looking for laterality related differences. The
main focus was laid on: anatomical angles, contribution of upper limbs in kick biomechanics, kinematics of the body
Center of Mass (CoM), which describes the whole body movement and is related to balance and stability. When kicking
with the preferred leg, CoM displacement during the ground‐support phase was 13% higher (p<0.001), normalized
CoM height was 1.3% lower (p<0.001) and CoM velocity 10% higher (p<0.01); foot and shank velocities were about
5% higher (p<0.01); arms were more abducted (p<0.01); shoulders were rotated more towards the target (p<0.01, 6°
mean orientation difference).
We concluded that differences in motor control between preferred and non‐preferred leg kicks exist,
particularly in the movement velocity and upper body kinematics. Coaches can use these results to provide effective
instructions to players in the learning process, moving their focus on kicking speed and upper body behavior.
KW - joint angle
KW - laterality
KW - postural control
KW - soccer biomechanics
KW - technical skills
KW - joint angle
KW - laterality
KW - postural control
KW - soccer biomechanics
KW - technical skills
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10807/60059
U2 - 10.2478/hukin-2014-0060
DO - 10.2478/hukin-2014-0060
M3 - Article
SN - 1640-5544
VL - 42
SP - 51
EP - 61
JO - Journal of Human Kinetics
JF - Journal of Human Kinetics
ER -