Influence of non-preferred foot technical training in reducing lower limbs functional asymmetry among young football players
The functional asymmetry of the lower limbs has been regarded as a relevant factor of the performance of football players. We purposed to ascertain whether a specific technical training programme for the non-preferred foot has implications in the increasing utilisation rate of the respective member during the game. Young football players (n = 71) were randomly divided into experimental group (N = 35; 14.37 ± 1.94 years) and control group (N = 36; 14.50 ± 1.81 years). The study was developed into three stages: first, assessment of the index utilisation of both limbs during the game; second, application of a technical training programme that includes the drilling of specific motor skills exclusively directed to the non-preferred foot; and third, assessment of the new rate of both limbs` utilisation after the predefined six months. The main findings were: (1) the use of the non-preferred foot increased significantly with the technical training programme in the experimental group and remained constant in the control group; (2) the use of the preferred foot decreased significantly in the experimental group and remained similar in control group. We concluded that a systematic and specific technical training for the non-preferred foot increases its use and reduces functional asymmetry in game situation, consequently improving the player`s performance.
© Copyright 2015 Journal of Sports Sciences. Taylor & Francis. All rights reserved.
| Subjects: | |
|---|---|
| Notations: | sport games junior sports |
| Tagging: | Symmetrie |
| Published in: | Journal of Sports Sciences |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2015
|
| Online Access: | http://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2015.1012100 |
| Volume: | 33 |
| Issue: | 17 |
| Pages: | 1790-1798 |
| Document types: | article |
| Level: | advanced |