Lower limb muscle fatigue on grass and artificial turf playing surfaces among elite soccer players
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Date
2016-07
Authors
Greyling, J. A. T.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Fatigue and hard playing surfaces have been indicated as risk
factors for injury in soccer players. Recent literature, however, has found
contradictory results on the prevalence of injuries on different playing surfaces, as
well as regarding the interaction between fatigue and the type of playing surface.
This raises the question as to the true mechanisms underlying the cause of injury on
different playing surfaces.
AIM: The aim was therefore to compare lower limb muscle fatigue on grass and
artificial surfaces in elite soccer players.
METHODS: Twenty two elite soccer players (mean age 24.8 years) were included in
a cross-over study design. The players were randomly allocated to two conditions.
It involved exposure to the same soccer-specific fatigue protocol on a grass and
artificial surface respectively. A force plate was used for pre-test and post-fatigue
measurements on force generation, force rates and jump height. The Pearson
correlation coefficient was used to determine associations between baseline
variables and interpreted by means of effect sizes and p-values. The Wilcoxon
signed-ranks test was used to determine statistical significant changes from pre-test
to post-test for each condition while the Chi-square test was used to compare the
findings between the two conditions.
RESULTS: Statistical significant correlations were found at baseline between
propulsion and concentric forces (r=0.66, p<0.001); propulsion force and body mass
(r=0.78, p<0.001); propulsion force and BMI (r=0.645, p<0.01); landing force and
body mass (r=0.82, p<0.001); landing and eccentric forces (r=-0.75, p<0.001); jump
height and concentric force (r=0.84, p<0.001); and body mass and concentric force
(r=0.76, p<0.05). Propulsion and concentric forces increased statistical significance
after fatigue on the grass surface (p=0.026 and 0.005 respectively). On the artificial
surface there was a statistical significant increase in propulsion force and propulsion
force rate post-fatigue (p=0.0001 and 0.0153 respectively). Comparison of the changes from baseline to fatigue between the two conditions yielded no significant
differences (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION: Limited significant differences were found comparing forces after
fatigue on artificial and grass surfaces. The inconsistency in the behaviour of forces
in response to fatigue indicate the possible variability in adaptation strategies to cope
with a speculated fatigue state. Surface-specific training could therefore be
recommended in order for muscle and sport/surface-specific adaptation to take
place, thereby decreasing the risk for injury
Description
Keywords
Dissertation (M.Sc. Physiotherapy))--University of the Free State, 2016, Soccer players, Athletic fields, Synthetic sporting surfaces, Soccer injuries, Fatigue, Muscles