Contribution of some physical characteristics to unipedal non-dominant lower limb balance among footballers

Abstract

Purpose. The objective was to determine the correlations between age, body mass index, foot length, tibia length, and calf circumference - and unipedal non-dominant lower limb balance (UNLLB), on the basis of the contributions of each physical attribute to UNLLB performance among professional football players in a Nigerian National Football League club. Methods. This descriptive correlational study involved 32 purposively recruited male professional football players who met the inclusion criteria. The participants' age was recorded along with height, weight, foot length, tibia length, and calf circumference, measured with standardized procedures, while their UNLLB was assessed with the use of a Wii Balance Board. The primary outcome measure was UNLLB, reflecting the centre of pressure parameters. The data were analysed with the Spearman rank order correlation; stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the contributions of the selected variables to UNLLB at 0.05 alpha levels. Results. All physical attributes except age were significantly correlated with UNLLB. The stepwise regression analysis showed limb length (13.2%, p = 0.023, f2 = 0.191), calf circumference (22.3%, p = 0.004, f2 = 0.329), and weight (11.5%, p = 0.033, f2 = 0.167) to be significant contributors to UNLLB with visual input allowed, while tibia length (14.9%, p = 0.017, f2 = 0.215) and foot length (9.5%, p = 0.048, f2 = 0.142) were significant predictors with visual input denied. Conclusions. Limb length, calf circumference, body weight, tibia length, and foot length are significant predictors of UNLLB among professional footballers.