Relationship between curvilinear sprint performance, hip strength, jump performance and reactive strength in elite youth soccer players
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between hip strength, vertical jump performance, reactive strength index, and curvilinear sprint (CS) performance and to compare these variables between different playing positions in youth soccer players. Thirty-four players completed two test sessions. Hip adduction and abduction strength was measured using a hand-held dynamometer. A force plate was used to measure the height of the countermovement jump and the drop jump as well as the contact time, from which the modified reactive strength index and the reactive strength index (RSI) were calculated. The CS was tested on the penalty arch of a soccer pitch. One way ANOVA was used to test the effects of playing position whereas the Pearson's r was used to test the relationship between variables. There were no significant differences in the measured variables between defenders, midfielders and attackers (p ≥ .140). Along with RSI, which showed significant moderate to large correlations (r = -0.39 to -0.59), hip abduction strength was also significantly associated with CS split times (r = -0.36 to -0.38). Results emphasize the relevance of ankle reactive strength and hip strength for CS performance and supports the inclusion of ankle and hip-specific strength exercises in the training of youth soccer players.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Funding data
-
The Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
Grant numbers P5-0443
References
Al Haddad, H., Simpson, B. M., Buchheit, M., Di Salvo, V., & Mendez-Villanueva, A. (2015). Peak match speed and maximal sprinting speed in young soccer players: Effect of age and playing position. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 10(7), 888-896. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2014-0539 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2014-0539
Araújo do Rego Barros, T., Yuzo Nakamura CIDESD, F., Souza Lira Filho, R., Maria Guimarães Silva, N., Ferreira Lima, V., & Bibrowicz Legia Warszawa Laziekowska Warsaw Rafael Santos Henrique, B. (2024). Is curve sprint performance in soccer related to other speed and power abilities across age categories? Research Square, 1-13.
Ben Hassen, D., Zghal, F., Peyrot, N., Samozino, P., Rebai, H., & Rahmani, A. (2023). Jump and sprint force velocity profile of young soccer players differ according to playing position. Journal of Sports Sciences, 41(21), 1915-1926. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2024.2307768 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2024.2307768
Bramah, C., Mendiguchia, J., Dos'Santos, T., & Morin, J. B. (2024). Exploring the Role of Sprint Biomechanics in Hamstring Strain Injuries: A Current Opinion on Existing Concepts and Evidence. Sports Medicine, 54(4), 783-793. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-023-01925-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-023-01925-x
Brice, P., Smith, N., & Dyson, R. (2004). Frequency of curvilinear motion during competitive soccer play. Communication to the Fourth Congress of Science and Football. Journal of Sports Science; Part II: Game Activity and Analysis 22, 502.
Buchheit, M., Mendez-Villanueva, A., Simpson, B. M., & Bourdon, P. C. (2010). Match running performance and fitness in youth soccer. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 31(11), 818-825. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0030-1262838 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0030-1262838
Caldbeck, M. (2020). Contextual sprinting in Premier League football. Liverpool John Moores University.
Caldbeck, P., & Dos'Santos, T. (2022a). How do soccer players sprint from a tactical context? Observations of an English Premier League soccer team. Journal of Sports Sciences, 40(23), 2669-2680. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2023.2183605 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2023.2183605
Caldbeck, P., & Dos'Santos, T. (2022b). A classification of specific movement skills and patterns during sprinting in English Premier League soccer. PLoS ONE, 17(11 November). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277326 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277326
Chmura, P., Konefał, M., Chmura, J., Kowalczuk, E., Zajac, T., Rokita, A., & Andrzejewski, M. (2018). Match outcome and running performance in different intensity ranges among elite soccer players. Biology of Sport, 35(2), 197-203. https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2018.74196 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2018.74196
Churchill, S. M., Trewartha, G., Bezodis, I. N., & Salo, A. I. T. (2016). Force production during maximal effort bend sprinting: Theory vs reality. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 26(10), 1171-1179. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12559 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12559
Crotty, E. D., Furlong, L. A. M., & Harrison, A. J. (2024). Ankle and Plantar Flexor Muscle-Tendon Unit Function in Sprinters: A Narrative Review. Sports Medicine, 54(3), 585-606. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-023-01967-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-023-01967-1
Fílter, A., Olivares, J., Santalla, A., Nakamura, F. Y., Loturco, I., & Requena, B. (2020). New curve sprint test for soccer players: Reliability and relationship with linear sprint. Journal of Sports Sciences, 38(11-12), 1320-1325. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2019.1677391 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2019.1677391
Filter, A., Olivares-Jabalera, J., Santalla, A., Morente-Sánchez, J., Robles-Rodríguez, J., Requena, B., & Loturco, I. (2020). Curve Sprinting in Soccer: Kinematic and Neuromuscular Analysis. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 41(11), 744-750. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1144-3175 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1144-3175
Filter-Ruger, A., Gantois, P., Henrique, R. S., Olivares-Jabalera, J., Robles-Rodríguez, J., Santalla, A., Requena, B., & Nakamura, F. Y. (2022). How does curve sprint evolve across different age categories in soccer players? Biology of Sport, 39(1), 53-58. https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2022.102867 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2022.102867
Fitzpatrick, J. F., Linsley, A., & Musham, C. (2019). Running the curve: a preliminary investigation into curved sprinting during football match-play. Sport Performance & Science Reports, 55(1), 1-3.
Grazioli, R., Soares, M. L. H. Q., Schons, P., Preissler, A. A. B., Veeck, F., Benítez-Flores, S., Pinto, R. S., & Cadore, E. L. (2024). Curve sprint performance and speed-related capabilities in professional soccer players. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 40(January), 1034-1040. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.07.018 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.07.018
Harry, J. R., Baker, L. A., James, R., & Dufek, J. S. (2018). Performance differences among skilled soccer players of different playing positions during vertical jumping and landing. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 32(2), 304-312. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002343 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002343
Healy, R., Smyth, C., Kenny, I. C., & Harrison, A. J. (2019). Influence of reactive and maximum strength indicatiors on sprint performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 33(11), 3039-3048. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002635 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002635
Hennessy, L., & Kilty, J. (2001). Relationship of the Stretch-Shortening Cycle to Sprint Performance in Trained Female Athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 15(3), 326-331. https://doi.org/10.1519/1533-4287(2001)015<0326:ROTSSC>2.0.CO;2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1519/00124278-200108000-00011
Hopkins, W. G., Marshall, S. W., Batterham, A. M., & Hanin, J. (2009). Progressive statistics for studies in sports medicine and exercise science. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 41(1), 3-12. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e31818cb278 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e31818cb278
Ishimura, K., & Sakurai, S. (2016). Asymmetry in determinants of running speed during curved sprinting. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 32(4), 394-400. https://doi.org/10.1123/jab.2015-0127 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/jab.2015-0127
Królikowska, P., Gołaś, A., Stastny, P., Kokštejn, J., Grzyb, W., & Krzysztofik, M. (2023). Abductor and adductor strength relation to sprint performance in soccer players. Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity, 15(3). https://doi.org/10.29359/BJHPA.15.3.06 DOI: https://doi.org/10.29359/BJHPA.15.3.06
Light, N., & Thorborg, K. (2016). The precision and torque production of common hip adductor squeeze tests used in elite football. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 19(11), 888-892. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2015.12.009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2015.12.009
Linthorne, N. P. (2001). Analysis of standing vertical jumps using a force platform. American Journal of Physics, 69(11), 1198-1204. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1397460 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1397460
Lobo-Triviño, D., García-Calvo, T., Manzano-Rodríguez, D., Nevado, F., Chena, M., Piñero-Madrona, J. Á., Martín-Ardila, E., & Raya-González, J. (2024). Examining tactical sprint actions and distribution among playing positions attending to match status in soccer: Implications for specific training. PLoS ONE, 19(6 June), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0301925 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0301925
Loturco, I., Pereira, L. A., Fílter, A., Olivares-Jabalera, J., Reis, V. P., Fernandes, V., Freitas, T. T., & Requena, B. (2020). Curve sprinting in soccer: Relationship with linear sprints and vertical jump performance. Biology of Sport, 37(3), 277-283. https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2020.96271 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2020.96271
Maffiuletti, N. A., Aagaard, P., Blazevich, A. J., Folland, J., Tillin, N., & Duchateau, J. (2016). Rate of force development: physiological and methodological considerations. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 116(6), 1091-1116. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-016-3346-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-016-3346-6
McBurnie, A. J., & Dos'Santos, T. (2021). Multidirectional Speed in Youth Soccer Players. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 44, 10-32. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0000000000000658 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0000000000000657
McKay, A. K. A., Stellingwerff, T., Smith, E. S., Martin, D. T., Mujika, I., Goosey-Tolfrey, V. L., Sheppard, J., & Burke, L. M. (2022). Defining Training and Performance Caliber: A Participant Classification Framework. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 17(2), 317-331. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2021-0451 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2021-0451
Millot, B., Pradon, D., Cecchelli, G., Blache, P., Arnould, A., Dinu, D., & Slawinski, J. (2024). Are the ground reaction forces altered by the curve and with the increasing sprinting velocity? Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 34(3), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.14602 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.14602
Myftiu, A., & Dalip, M. (2021). The relationship between play positions, vertical jump and sprinting speed in young football players. International Journal of Sports Science, 8(15-16), 9-15.
Nicol, C., Avela, J., & Komi, P. V. (2006). The Stretch-Shortening Cycle. Sports Medicine, 36(11), 977-999. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200636110-00004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200636110-00004
Requena, B., González-Badillo, J. J., Saez De Villareal, E. S., Ereline, J., García, I., Gapeyeva, H., & Pääsuke, M. (2009). Functional performance, maximal strength, and power characteristics in isometric and dynamic actions of lower extremities in soccer players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 23(5), 1391-1401. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181a4e88e DOI: https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181a4e88e
Ruas, C. V., Minozzo, F., Pinto, M. D., Brown, L. E., & Pinto, R. S. (2015). Lower-extremity strength ratios of professional soccer players according to field position. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 29(5), 1220-1226. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000000766 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000000766
Sašek, M., Šarabon, N., & Smajla, D. (2024). Exploring the relationship between lower limb strength, strength asymmetries, and curvilinear sprint performance: Findings from a pilot study. Science Progress, 107(2), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1177/00368504241247998 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00368504241247998
Sašek, M., Smajla, D., Bratina, K., & Spudić, D. (2025). Specificity of curvilinear sprint performance in youth female soccer players: comparison with linear sprint and relationship with vertical jumps. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 00(00), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2025.2507414 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2025.2507414
Smirniotou, A., Katsikas, C., Paradisis, G., Argeitaki, P., Zacharogiannis, E., & Tziortzis, S. (2008). Strength-power parameters as predictors of sprinting performance. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 48(4), 447-454.
Southey, B., Willshire, M., Connick, M. J., Austin, D., Spits, D., & Beckman, E. (2024). Reactive Strength Index as a Key Performance Indicator in Different Athlete Populations - A Systematic Review. Science and Sports, 39(2), 129-143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scispo.2023.01.004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scispo.2023.01.004
Spudić, D., Ribič, A., Šarabon, N., & Pori, P. (2025). Relationship Between Single-Leg Countermovement Jump Height, Technique, and Hip Strength in Elite Handball Players. Applied Sciences, 15(9), 4651. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15094651 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app15094651
Weyand, P. G., Sandell, R. F., Prime, D. N. L., & Bundle, M. W. (2010). The biological limits to running speed are imposed from the ground up. Journal of Applied Physiology, 108(4), 950-961. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00947.2009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00947.2009
Young, W., McLean, B., & Ardagna, J. (1995a). Relationship between strength qualities and sprinting performance. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 35(1), 13-19.