The relationships between dynamic balance and sprint, flexibilitstrength, jump in junior soccer players

Abstract

Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the relationships between sprint, flexibility, upper extremity strength and Star Excursion Balance Test performances in soccer players aged 12–14 years. Material: Eighteen junior soccer players (mean age, 9.78 ± 1.6 years; height, 139.5 ± 11.0 cm; weight, 34.3 ± 9.9 kg; BMI, 17.3±2.9; leg length; 63.7±5.9 cm) participated in this study voluntarily. They were training 2 or 3 times a week with the addition of one match per month and none of them had reported injuries or diseases related to sports. After measuring the anthropometrics of the subjects, they were familiarized with the test procedures. Measurements included handgrip strength (HD), 30 sc. sit-ups (SU), standing long jump (SLJ), Countermovement jump (CMJ) and 20m-Sprint tests as independent variables, and Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) as dependent variables. Then, statistical analysis was applied to the data transferred to SPSS 24.0 Packet program. Results: The inconsistent correlations between variables of SEBT and selected parameters were found. The strongest significant relationships of the variables of SEBT with selected variables were observed between anterolateral (AL) and SU (r=646, p<0.05), and between posteromedial (PM) and Sprint (r=-650). No significant correlations were observed between variables of dynamic balance and CMJ, SLJ, Relative Handgrip Strength (RHS). Conclusions: As a result, strength and power performances may not necessarily be related to impaired balance directly in young soccer men. Moreover, low back flexibility may have negative or positive influences on dynamic balance.