Right Leg Strength of Soccer Players With In Comparison
of Forward And Defense Position
Brian Brunet, Dr. J. Wilson & Dr. M. Ricard
Department of Kinesiology, University of Texas Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019
ABSTRACT
Purpose: The purpose of this experiment was to compare
the strength of the right quadriceps and hamstring muscles
of soccer players in the forward (F) and defense (D)
positions. Methods: The Biodex machine was used to test
the strength of the soccer players’ right legs. Age, height and
weight and heart rate were recorded. Body fat was
measured at three sites on each subject using skinfold
calipers (chest, abdomen, thigh). Prior to the testing on the
Biodex, each subject was fitted with a heart rate monitor.
Subjects then took a seat on the Biodex. The machine was
adjusted according to the subject’s height and length of their
right leg which was then strapped into position, then two
straps were placed across the chest and one strap placed
across the waist. The Biodex was set to allow extension and
flexion at three speeds (90°/sec, 180°/sec, and 360°/sec)
with four repetitions each. Between each speed there was a
rest period of 60 seconds. SPSS was used to analyze potential
differences between the variables. The alpha levels was set
at p < 0.05. Results: 12 males who have played soccer within
the past 2 years, volunteered to be subjects. The subjects
were divided according to positions played: forward position
(n=7, age = 23±2 yr, ht = 70 ± 4 in , wt = 173.8 ± 14.9 lbs, %bf
= 19.3 ± 3.3) and defensive position (n=5, age = 23±3 yr, ht =
67 ± 2.5 in, wt = 153.3 ± 20.6, %bf = 18.9 ± 4.1). The
variables that were analyzed which included peak power,
average power, agonist/antagonist, and time to peak torque.
Analysis included flexion/extension at each of the three
speeds. None of the relationships were significant (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: There were no statistically significant differences
in the leg strength between the forward position soccer
players and the defensive position soccer players. However,
the male subjects tested were recreational soccer players
and these findings may be different in elite players.
Purpose
The purpose of this experiment was to compare the
strength of the right quadriceps and hamstring muscles of
soccer players in the forward (F) and defense (D) positions.
INTRODUCTION
Figure 2
Table 1
Demographics
Soccer is a sport that is well known and played around the
world. In the sport of soccer there are different positions
such as forward, mid field, defense, and the goalie. The
forward position soccer player’s main task is to kick the
soccer ball into the opponent’s goal. The defense position
soccer player’s role is to assist the goalie in not allowing the
opposing players to score a goal. The mid fielders assist both
the forward and defensive positions. .
Subject #40009
Age (yrs)
Height (in)
Weight (lbs)
Body Fat (%)
Mean
23.71
70.42
175.90
19.33
SD
Min
Max
1.97
4.42
15.12
3.39
21
67
139.92
14.01
28
80
200.86
24.75
Table 2
Agonist/Antagonist
Figure 1
Forward
Defensive
p-Value
90°/sec
63.57±26.7
61.64±8.0
0.88
180°/sec
78.54±25.3
68.74±11.1
0.44
360°/sec
82.91±25.7
91.1±10.4
0.52
Table 3
Methods
The Biodex machine was used to test the strength of the
soccer players’ right legs. Age, height and weight and heart
rate were recorded. Body fat was measured at three sites
on each subject using skinfold calipers (chest, abdomen,
thigh). Prior to the testing on the Biodex, each subject was
fitted with a heart rate monitor. Subjects then took a seat
on the Biodex. The machine was adjusted according to the
subject’s height and length of their right leg which was then
strapped into position, then two straps were placed across
the chest and one strap placed across the waist. The Biodex
was set to allow extension and flexion at three speeds
(90°/sec, 180°/sec, and 360°/sec) with four repetitions
each. Between each speed there was a rest period of 60
seconds. SPSS was used to analyze potential differences
between the variables. The alpha levels was set at p < 0.05.
Results
12 males who have played soccer within the past 2 years,
volunteered to be subjects. The subjects were divided
according to positions played: forward position (n=7, age =
23±2 yr, ht = 70 ± 4 in , wt = 173.8 ± 14.9 lbs, %bf = 19.3 ±
3.3) and defensive position (n=5, age = 23±3 yr, ht = 67 ± 2.5
in, wt = 153.3 ± 20.6, %bf = 18.9 ± 4.1). The variables that
were analyzed which included peak power, average power,
agonist/antagonist, and time to peak torque. Analysis
included flexion/extension at each of the three speeds. None
of the relationships were significant (p > 0.05).
Peak Torque
(F) Mean ± SD
(D) Mean ± SD
p-Value
90°/sec (ext)
112.23±36.75
99.18±31.73
0.54
180°/sec (ext)
84.83±28.16
78.94±19.85
0.69
360°/sec (ext)
70.57±28.64
54.6±11.69
0.27
90°/sec (flx)
69.68±26.89
59.54±16.46
0.47
180°/sec (flx)
60.98±10.72
52.82±8.59
0.19
360°/sec (flx)
54.57±12.51
49.14±6.83
0.40
Conclusions
There were no statistically significant differences in the leg
strength between the forward position soccer players and
the defensive position soccer players. However, the male
subjects tested were recreational soccer players and these
findings may be different in elite players.