Aspects of Biomechanics

Conclusion

Biomechanics applied to soccer, apart from enriching our scientific knowledge, brings important advantages to the whole world of sports: from societies, to supporters, and to players. The latter can take advantage of the practical application of our studies’ results, not only in terms of competitive performance but also in terms of health status since he or she can reach optimal locomotor apparatus functional conditions. Furthermore, eliminating the intrinsic (and when possible also the extrinsic) predisposing factors, it is possible to reduce the incidence of pathologies that are typical in soccer. Biomechanical analysis gives objective and reproducible data on the main characteristics of specific movements (various kinds of kicking, cutting, jumping, etc.), on their performance by every single athlete, and on the functional status of the locomotor apparatus during the different phases of the competitive season so as to improve the results and reduce the risk of acute and/or overuse lesions. In this regard, the importance of muscle balance between agonist and antagonist muscles of the lower limb (for instance, surals, knee extensors and flexors, hip abductors and adductors) to reduce the risk of muscle injuries and/or typical tendinopathies of the game (Achilles, patellar, and adductor) is fundamental. Correction of postural disorders and weight-bearing asymmetries are equally important. The former are well shown by stabilometric analysis with unstable boards (KAT 2000) and force platforms and the latter through gait analysis. Gait analysis — performed with 3D motion analysis systems, ground reaction force systems, scanning system (S-Scan), and surface telemetric EMG to show muscle electrical activity during walking — is becoming an increasingly important examination for dynamic analysis, not only of soccer players but of humankind. Thus, biomechanical analysis of soccer players may positively influence performance (improving movement and optimising function of the myotendon unit) and reduce the incidence of muscle injuries and tendon and joint pathologies typical of the game.