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A Musculoskeletal Profile of Elite Female Soccer Players

  • Original Article
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HSS Journal

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify lower-extremity (LE) musculoskeletal characteristics of elite female soccer players and to determine whether differences between dominant and nondominant extremities exist with respect to strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Physical data were collected from 26 female professional soccer players. Core control, hip and knee passive range of motion (PROM), LE flexibility, hip abductor strength, and dynamic functional alignment were assessed for each LE. Of 26 subjects, 21 scored 2/5 or less on core control. Mean hip internal rotation and external rotation were 33° (±8°) and 25° (±6.7°), respectively. All subjects had shortened two-joint hip flexors with an average knee flexion angle of 50° (±11°) and increased femoral anteversion. Forty one of 48 dominant limbs and 42 of 48 nondominant limbs demonstrated deviations from neutral alignment during step down or single-leg squat. Of 25 subjects, 15 demonstrated a stiff-knee landing and/or takeoff. All subjects demonstrated limitations in hip external rotation PROM and hip flexor length. There was no difference between dominant and nondominant LEs in all variables including hip abductor strength. Additional research is needed to determine if there is a correlation between the musculoskeletal characteristics, LE biomechanics, and potential risk for injury.

Level of evidence: IV

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Acknowledgments

We’d like to thank the athletes and coaches and medical staff of the New York Power for their willingness to participate in this study. Jennifer Rogers and Monique Sheridan were Ludwig Research Fellows at HSS. The philanthropic support of Robert Ludwig, who has endowed the Ludwig Research Fellowship in Women’s Sports is acknowledged and greatly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sports Rehabilitation and Performance Center, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA

    Theresa A. Chiaia PT & Robert A. Maschi PT, DPT, CSCS

  2. Women’s Sports Medicine Center, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA

    Robyn M. Stuhr MA, Jennifer R. Rogers BA, Monique A. Sheridan BA, Lisa R. Callahan MD & Jo A. Hannafin MD, PhD

  3. American Council on Exercise, San Diego, CA, USA

    Robyn M. Stuhr MA

  4. New York Power, New York, NY, USA

    Lisa R. Callahan MD & Jo A. Hannafin MD, PhD

  5. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA

    Jo A. Hannafin MD, PhD

  6. Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70th Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA

    Theresa A. Chiaia PT

Authors
  1. Theresa A. Chiaia PT
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  2. Robert A. Maschi PT, DPT, CSCS
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  3. Robyn M. Stuhr MA
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  4. Jennifer R. Rogers BA
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  5. Monique A. Sheridan BA
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  6. Lisa R. Callahan MD
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  7. Jo A. Hannafin MD, PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Theresa A. Chiaia PT.

Additional information

Study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board at the Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA.

Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial associations (e.g., consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

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Chiaia, T.A., Maschi, R.A., Stuhr, R.M. et al. A Musculoskeletal Profile of Elite Female Soccer Players. HSS Jrnl 5, 186–195 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11420-009-9108-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11420-009-9108-9

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