Feasibility of evaluating effects of muscle fatigue on postural stability and muscular activation of the supporting leg in the soccer power kicking

Abstract

Muscle fatigue accumulated during a soccer game can be a critical element to athletic performance. The aim of this study was to analyze the feasibility of evaluating the effect of muscle fatigue of the support leg in soccer players postural stability and muscular activation of the stabilizing muscles of the ankle in the performance of a power kick. Six university soccer players were evaluated. Muscular fatigue was induced by means of repeated oscillations of the swing leg. Results indicated that fatigue did not significantly affect velocity of the kicking leg and postural stability while kicking. Electromyographic analysis revealed that fatigue induced decreased activation of the medial gastrocnemius and increased activation of the soleus muscles in the period following foot-ball contact. These results show the feasibility of analyzing the effect of fatigue on dynamic balance and muscular activation in the performance of a power kicking task.