Abstract
[Introduction] Prior research has shown that measurement of kicking speed in soccer players can offer valuable insights into their competitive levels and potential; however, most studies on this topic have focused on professional and youth players. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between ball-kicking speed, lower limb muscle strength, and lower limb function in high school soccer players involved in intramural club activities. [Methods] The participants were 18 male soccer players on a high school team. The ball kicking speed, knee flexion torque, knee extension torque, and vertical jump height of all participants were measured. The ball-kicking speed was measured as the initial velocity using the dominant leg. Muscle strength assessment involved measurement of the isokinetic knee extension and flexion torque at 60°/s of the dominant leg. Vertical jump height was measured with both arms crossed at a knee flexion angle of 90°, without using upper or lower extremity recoil. [Results] The average kicking speed, knee flexion torque, knee extension torque, and vertical jump height were 83.8±9.6 m/s, 83.0±18.0 Nm, 176.7±34.3 Nm, and 38.8±4.6 cm, respectively. Significant positive correlations were found between ball-kicking speed and knee flexion torque (r=0.49), knee extension torque (r=0.47), and vertical jump height (r=0.57). [Conclusion] The present results suggest that kicking velocity could be used as an effective performance assessment tool for high school soccer players involved in intramural club activities. Understanding the relationship between ball-kicking velocity and lower limb strength and function can provide valuable insights for the optimization of player performance during this critical stage of growth and development.
