Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the profile of muscular strength and strength asymmetries of national female soccer players (n = 17, age = 24.19 +- 3.66 years, body height = 168.37 +- 6.76 cm, body mass = 62.13 +- 6.05 kg). The muscular strength of the lower limbs was assessed using a Cybex Humac Norm isokinetic dynamometer (Cybex NORM (R), Humac, CA, USA).Muscle strength of PTE and PTF significantly decreased with increasing angular velocity (p<0.01).
The female players produced insignificant muscle strength differences between the PL and NL at all angular velocities. The difference between PTE and PTF was ~ 43.2 % at the lowest velocity and ~ 32.8 % at the highest velocity.
Speed of muscle contraction had a significant effect on the ipsilateral ratio (H:Q ratio) in female players (PL: F1.69,25.8 = 7.61, p = 0.00, η2= 0.32, NL: F2.37,37.9 = 14.50, p = 0.00, η2= 0.48). Concerning the Q:Q ratio, contraction velocity only insignificantly affected its size F2.79,44.6 = 0.38, p = 0.82, η2= 0.02.Our study indicated that almost 50 % of female players have at least one strength asymmetry (bilateral knee flexor) regardless of their limb's preferences.
Maladaptive effects in terms of different kinds of body strength asymmetries represent a potential risk of a player's injury.