Relationship between isokinetic strength of lower extremities and speed indicators of running perfomance in youth soccer players
Abstract
The goal of our study was find relationships between maximal peak torque of thigh muscles and speed performance in young elite Czech national soccer players, category U16 (n = 23, age = 15.6 +- 0.4 years, height = 177.7 +- 6.9 cm, weight = 67.9 +- 8.7 kg). Peak torque of knee extensors (PTE) and flexors (PTF) during the concentric contraction at different angular velocities (60, 120,180, 240 a 300o.s-1) was evaluated by isokinetic dynamometer.
Acceleration speed performance 5m, 10 m and maximal sprint performance 20 m (flying time) was also measured. The higher correlation were observed at higher angular velocities (240o.s-1 a 300o.s-1) compare to lower or medium velocity (60o.s-1, 120o.s-1 a 180o.s-1).
The maximal speed performance did not correlated with PTE at any of tested angular velocity (p}0.05). At highest velocity PTF showed higher relationship to speed performance with compare to PTE.
Results of our study revealed that PTF at highest angular velocity is the best strength indicator for speed performance.