DEVELOPMENTAL DIFFERENCES OF KINEMATIC AND MUSCULAR ACTIVATION PATTERNS IN INSTEP SOCCER KICK

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The aim of the study was to evaluate kinematic and muscular activation differences amongst different age groups of soccer players. Thirty male youth soccer players were divided into 3 groups according to their age (age 12-13; age 14-15; age 16-17). There were significant differences in ball velocities and isokinetic strength values amongst groups. Angular and linear velocities of hip, knee, ankle and toe were also significantly different (p<0.05) amongst groups in different phases. Furthermore, there were significant differences amongst groups regarding EMG activity of m. rectus femoris (RF), m. vastus medialis (VM), m. biceps femoris (BF) (p<0.05). From these results, it was suggested that that the ball velocity of in-step kicking increased with age that reflects the development of both muscular strength and coordination of kicking leg.