Evaluating muscular activation during different kicking style and relationship between ball velocity-isokinetic strength

In this research, it is aimed that analyzing connection between isokinetic strengthparameters and ball velocity during different types of kick and, analyzingmuscular activation differences which occur in rectus femoris (RF), vastuslateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), biceps femoris (BF) and gastrocnemious(GAS) during six types of kicks which were performed by professional andamateur soccer players. 17 amateur (age: 23.2±2.94year, training status:12.4±2.6year) and 14 professional (age: 22.5±2.8year, training status:12.8±2.9year), totally 31 male soccer players volunteered to participated thecurrent study. In this study, muscular activation pattern concerning kicking legwere tested during six types of soccer kicks by using electromyography (EMG)system. Ball velocities regarding kicks which were performed at target goal from15m away tested by radar gun. 3 submaximal, 5 maximal isokinetic(consantric/consantric) test were measured at 60, 180, 240 and 300°s-1 angular velocities in both legs. Two sample Student t-test was used to analyze muscularactivation differences during six types of kicking techniques in amateur andprofessional soccer players. T-test was used to compare ball velocities during sixtypes of kicking techniques and isokinetic strength parameters between twogroups. To clarify relationship between isokinetic strength values and ballvelocities which occur during six types of kicking techniques Pearson CorrelationAnalyze was used. According to muscular activation pattern evaluations,significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in VM, VL and GAS musclesduring side foot, inside, inside curve, in step, outside and outside curve kicksbetween professional and amateur soccer players. Even though there was nosignificant differences regarding flexion and extension peak tork among isokineticstrength parameters, there was significant differences (p<0.05) in 60, 180 and240°.s-1 angular velocities regarding flek/eks ratio between two groups andprofessional soccer players reached highest flek/eks ratio. Ball velocities weresignificantly different (p<0.05) in side foot, inside curve, instep, outside andoutside curve kicks between groups and were higher in professional soccer playersthan amateur soccer players. As isokinetic peak torques and ball velocities had apositive correlation (p<0.05) between inside curve, instep, outside, outside curvekicks and 60 and 300°.s -1 angular velocities in amateur soccer player, there wasno correlation in professional soccer players. In conclusion, knee isokineticstrength values in both legs are not a factor that describes ball velocities inprofessionals; however; leg strength effects ball velocities in amateurs. In terms ofmuscular activation patterns, professional soccer players have demonstratedhigher agonists and lower antagonist activation. According to results of thisresearch, it is necessary to make muscular activation pattern evaluation withmotion analysis system during different kinds of soccer kick.