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Exploring the associations between ankle dorsal and plantar flexion strength, reactive strength index, and balance in elite youth soccer players

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Abstract

Background

Enhanced muscular strength has been widely acknowledged as a fundamental determinant of improved performance in the lower extremities. However, the specific impact of ankle strength on explosive strength and balance remains inadequately elucidated. Consequently, this study aims to (a) evaluate balance, reactive power, and flexor–extensor muscle balances in soccer players, and (b) evaluate ankle dorsal and plantar flexion muscle strength as predictive factors for reactive strength index and balance performance.

Methodology

A cohort comprising 38 actively engaged Turkish National League soccer players participated in the study. The assessment encompassed explosive power through a drop jump, dynamic balance utilizing a moving disc, and ankle strength measured with a handheld dynamometer.

Results

The findings revealed that dominant lower limb dorsal flexion strength emerged as a significant predictor of both reactive strength (R2 = 0.106, p < 0.05) and balance (R2 = 0.121, p < 0.05). Similarly, non-dominant lower limb dorsal flexion strength was identified as a significant predictor of reactive strength (R2 = 0.362, p < 0.05). Furthermore, the study established that dominant lower limb plantar flexion strength significantly predicted balance (R2 = 0.121, p < 0.05), while non-dominant lower limb plantar flexion strength served as a significant predictor of both reactive strength (R2 = 0.148, p < 0.05) and balance (R2 = 0.179, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Consequently, these findings emphasize the significance of incorporating targeted exercises designed to enhance intrinsic foot musculature, thereby augmenting both explosive strength and balance in athletes. While acknowledging the persistent importance of strength assessment in evaluating lower extremity performance, our results underscore the critical role played by ankle muscle strength in the execution of explosive strength and balance.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the BAP Coordination Unit of Recep Tayyip Erdogan University (Number: TSA-2022-1360). We thank to their support.

Funding

The present study was not supported by any funding.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Coaching Education, Movement and Training Sciences, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Recep Fatih Kayhan

  2. Graduate Education Institute, Physical Education and Sports Department, Doctorate Program, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Rize, Turkey

    Esranur Terzi

  3. Department of Coaching Education, Movement and Training Sciences, School of Education and Sport, Gumushane University, Gumushane, Turkey

    Serdar Bayrakdaroğlu

  4. Physical Education and Sports Teaching Department, Kazim Karabekir Faculty of Education, Ataturk University, 25030, Erzurum, Turkey

    Halil İbrahim Ceylan

  5. School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK

    Ryland Morgans

  6. School of Health and Caring Sciences, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece

    Pantelis T. Nikolaidis

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Contributions

Conceptualization, R.F.K.; methodology, R.F.K., E.T., S.B., H.İ.C.; formal analysis, R.F.K.; investigation, S.B., H.İ.C.; writing—original draft preparation, R.F.K, E.T., S.B., H.İ.C., R.M., P.T.N.; writing—review and editing, R.F.K, E.T., S.B., H.İ.C., R.M., P.T.N.; supervision, H.İ.C.; All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pantelis T. Nikolaidis.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest..

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The study was approved by the Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Number: E-40465587-050.01.04-148, Date: 24/06/2021). Written informed consent to participate in this study was provided by the participant’s legal guardian/next of kin. Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Kayhan, R.F., Terzi, E., Bayrakdaroğlu, S. et al. Exploring the associations between ankle dorsal and plantar flexion strength, reactive strength index, and balance in elite youth soccer players. Sport Sci Health (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-024-01207-7

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