THE POWER FLOW THROUGH THE SWINGING LIMB DURING AN INSTEP KICK IN SOCCER

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Studies concerning soccer kicking have looked extensively at the kinetics (Nunome et al., 2001) involved with the skill. However, there remains a dearth of literature concerning the energetic transfer which occurs between the segments. Early work by Zernicke and Roberts (1978) used two dimensional kinematics and inverse dynamics to estimate the joint contact forces of the kicking limb. They proposed a ‘flail’ like movement pattern where the thigh is rapidly decelerated at the onset of knee extension, suggesting a large passive contribution to rapid knee extension. Putman (1983) developed further theories suggesting the motion of the shank segment affects thigh deceleration prior to ball contact.