Braking characteristics during cutting and pivoting in female soccer players

Jones, PA; Herrington, LC; Graham-Smith, P

Abstract

Biomechanical studies into changing direction focus on final contact (FC), whilst limited research has examined penultimate contact (PEN). The aim of this study was to explore the kinematic and kinetic differences between PEN and FC of cutting and pivoting in 22 female soccer players (mean ± SD; age: 21 ± 3.1 years, height: 1.68 ± 0.07 m, mass: 58.9 ± 7.3 kg). Furthermore, the study investigated whether horizontal force-time characteristics during PEN were related to peak knee abduction moments during FC. Three dimensional motion analyses of cutting and pivoting on the right leg were performed using Qualysis ‘Pro-reflex’ infrared cameras (240Hz). Ground reaction forces (GRF) were collected from two AMTI force platforms (1200Hz) to examine PEN and FC. Both manoeuvres involved significantly (P < 0.05) greater knee joint flexion angles, peak horizontal GRF, but lower average horizontal GRF during PEN compared to FC. Average horizontal GRF during PEN (R = -0.569, R2 = 32%, P = 0.006) and average horizontal GRF ratio (R = 0.466, R2 = 22%, P = 0.029) were significantly related to peak knee abduction moments during the FC of cutting and pivoting, respectively. The results indicate PEN during pre-planned changing direction helps reduce loading on the turning leg where there is greater risk of injuries to knee ligaments.

Citation

Jones, P., Herrington, L., & Graham-Smith, P. (2016). Braking characteristics during cutting and pivoting in female soccer players. Journal of Electro - myography and Kinesiology, 30, 46-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2016.05.006

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 20, 2016
• Online Publication Date: May 24, 2016
• Publication Date: Oct 1, 2016
• Deposit Date: May 31, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 7, 2019
• Journal: Journal of Electromyography & Kinesiology
• Print ISSN: 1050-6411
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 30
• Pages: 46-54
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2016.05.006
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2016.05.006
• Related Public URLs: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-electromyography-and-kinesiology/