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Sport-specific trunk muscle profiles in soccer players of different skill levels

  • Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Physical fitness and trunk stability are essential factors for successful soccer competition.

Materials and methods

We investigated the impact of soccer exposure on the trunk muscle profile of players of different skill levels. Professional and amateur soccer players were examined for trunk flexibility and maximum isometric muscle strength in the midseason period 2011.

Results

24 professional soccer players who had not participated in any specific trunk muscle training programmes had significantly higher isometric trunk muscle strength in the sagittal plane (Ext: p = 0.003, Flex: p = 0.014), the frontal plane (Lat. right: p = 0.001, left: p = 0.003) and the transverse plane (Rotation right and left: p < 0.001) than 83 amateur soccer players. Professional players also had higher trunk flexibility in the sagittal plane (Flex: p = 0.001) and the transverse plane (Rotation right: p = 0.02, left: p = 0.002) than amateur players. The side of the dominant kicking leg had no influence on muscle strength and flexibility of the trunk.

Conclusion

Trunk flexibility and stability as necessary factors for avoiding physical overstress and injuries are differently trained in player of different soccer skill levels.

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Conflict of interest

The corresponding author confirms that in the manuscript “Sport-specific trunk muscle profiles in soccer players of different skill levels” is no conflict of interest. There is no sponsoring organisation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Trauma Surgery, University Medical Centre Regensburg, FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, Franz-Josef-Strauss Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany

    Werner Krutsch, Markus Loibl, Carsten Neumann, Michael Nerlich & Peter Angele

  2. RFZ Rueckenzentrum Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany

    Philipp Weishaupt

  3. Centre of Clinical Studies, University Medical Centre Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany

    Florian Zeman

  4. Sporthopaedicum Regensburg/Straubing, Regensburg, Germany

    Peter Angele

Authors
  1. Werner Krutsch
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  2. Philipp Weishaupt
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  3. Florian Zeman
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  4. Markus Loibl
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  5. Carsten Neumann
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  6. Michael Nerlich
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  7. Peter Angele
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Werner Krutsch.

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Krutsch, W., Weishaupt, P., Zeman, F. et al. Sport-specific trunk muscle profiles in soccer players of different skill levels. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 135, 659–665 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-015-2178-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-015-2178-x

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