DETERMINATION OF THE IMPACT MASS IN SOCCER HEADING

Abstract

This study’s aim was to determine the body’s impact mass in soccer heading and the impact mass’s variations when altering the head’s mass. It was expected that initial impact mass would be larger than the head’s mass, due to muscle activity in the torso/neck. This enables the torso’s mass to contribute in impact. It was also expected that altering the head’s mass would have little effect on the impact mass. The hypotheses were tested in standing heading trials, where a skilled subject impacted soccer balls at low velocities. The study concluded that the above hypotheses could be supported. The impact mass was found to 9,94 kg (± 1,5 kg), which is clearly larger than the heads initial mass (6,4 kg). No significant distinct correlation between the impact mass and the extra head mass was found, though the impact mass was altered by the extra mass.