The Contribution of Trunk Axial Kinematics to Poststrike Ball Velocity During Maximal Instep Soccer Kicking

Abstract

To date, biomechanical analyses of soccer kicking have focused predominantly on lower-extremity motions, with little emphasis on the trunk and upper body. The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in trunk axial kinematics between novice (n = 10) and skilled (n = 10) participants, as well as to establish the relationship of trunk axial motion and sagittal plane thigh rotation to poststrike ball velocity. Three-dimensional body segmental motion data were captured using high-resolution motion analysis (120 Hz) while each participant completed 5 maximal instep soccer-style kicks. The results demonstrate that skilled participants use 53% greater axial trunk range of motion compared with novice participants (P < .01), as well as 62% greater peak trunk rotation velocity (P < .01). The results also show a moderate, positive correlation of peak trunk rotation velocity with poststrike ball velocity (r = .57; P < .01), and peak hip flexion velocity with poststrike ball velocity (r = .63; P < .01). The current study highlights the potential for trunk rotation-specific training to improve maximum instep kick velocity in developing soccer athletes.

3D trunk orientation measured using inertial measurement units during anatomical and dynamic sports motions

“…parameters, such as ball release velocity during a handball throw, 3 soccer instep kick, 4 field hockey drag flick, 5 golf swing, 6 tennis serve, 7 and cricket fast bowling 8 or power output during flat-water kayak paddling. 9 During dynamic sports motions, trunk motion is also associated with the risk of lower limb, upper limb, and spinal injuries.…”

The trade-off between distance and accuracy in the rugby union place kick

“…However, this relationship between the tension arc and kick distance was not seen in the current study. Recently, Fullenkamp et al (2015) showed the importance of the trunk rotation in attaining ball velocity. While no relationship was shown in the current study between X-factor and kick distance, the significant relationship between the X-factor and kick accuracy was presented.…”

“…While no relationship was shown in the current study between X-factor and kick distance, the significant relationship between the X-factor and kick accuracy was presented. The kinematic variable X-factor, the separation of the torso relative to the pelvis, was similar to the trunk axial rotation used in the Fullenkamp et al (2015) study. Surprisingly, the back flexion and the lateral bend angle at ball contact had no significant relationship with either kick distance or kick accuracy.…”

“…The initiation of the kicking sequence has previously been suggested to begin with rotation occurring at the pelvis (Kellis & Katis, 2007;Sinclair, et al, 2014b;Zhang, et al, 2012). However, recently Fullenkamp, Campbell, Laurent, and Lane (2015) showed the importance of trunk rotation in ball velocity attainment. Their finding shifts the imitation of the kinetic sequence further up to the level of the torso and needs to be investigated within the rugby context.…”

Whole-body energy transfer strategies during football instep kicking: implications for training practices

“…However, a limitation of these findings is that they consider the kick leg independent from the rest of the body (Lees et al, 2010). More recent evidence suggests that the support leg, pelvis and torso also all contribute to kicking performance (Augustus et al, 2017;Fullenkamp et al, 2015;Inoue et al, 2014;Naito et al, 2010). Pelvis rotations about the support leg may precede kick leg sequencing (Inoue et al, 2014;Lees et al, 2009), and concentric work performed at the support knee (Augustus et al, 2017) and torso (Naito et al, 2010) may serve to extend the kicking knee later in the downswing.…”