Effect of leg dominance on the center-of-mass kinematics during an inside-of-the-foot kick in amateur soccer players.

Matteo Zago, Andrea Francesco Motta, Andrea Mapelli, Isabella Annoni, Christel Galvani, Chiarella Sforza

Risultato della ricerca: Contributo in rivistaArticolo in rivista

12 Citazioni (Scopus)

Abstract

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.
Lingua originaleEnglish
pagine (da-a)51-61
Numero di pagine11
RivistaJournal of Human Kinetics
Volume42
DOI
Stato di pubblicazionePubblicato - 2014

Keywords

  • joint angle
  • laterality
  • postural control
  • soccer biomechanics
  • technical skills

Fingerprint

Entra nei temi di ricerca di 'Effect of leg dominance on the center-of-mass kinematics during an inside-of-the-foot kick in amateur soccer players.'. Insieme formano una fingerprint unica.

Cita questo