ANALYSIS OF MUSCLE ACTIVATION DURING VARIOUS KICKS IN SOCCER

Abstract

A good kicking technique is an important aspect of a soccer player. The objective of the study was to analyse the activation of muscle during various kicks in soccer. Methodology: The total of eight male footballers age range from 19-22 year of age (two goal keeper, two defender, two midfielder and two strikers) were selected from the All India Inter-University Football team of LNIPE, Gwalior, M.P., India as subjects. The following variables namely vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, bicep femoris, medial gastrocnemius, lateral gastrocnemius and Semimembranosus were selected for the purpose of the study. For analysing the muscles activities of MVIC (Maximum Voluntary Isometric Contraction), BTS free EMG was used. To lock the movement of the strong limb with maximum resistance, Isokinetic Machine, Free Motion Squat Machine and surface MAT was used. Results: The Rectus Femoris (-0.11) and Vastus Medialis (-0.90) value is negatively skewed, which implies majority of the selected footballers scores are above the mean value and posses better muscles activation and Vastus Lateralis (0.42), Semimembranosus (1.02), Bicep Femoris (0.42), Medial Gastrocnemius (0.29) and Lateral Gastrocnemius (1.51) are positively skewed which implies that majority of footballers are below the mean value and posses less activation during the Inner Curve Kick. In Lofted Kick the Rectus Femoris (-0.21), Vastus Medialis (-0.51) and Bicep Femoris (-0.50) value is negatively skewed, which implies majority of the selected footballers scores are above the mean value and posses better muscles activation and Vastus Lateralis (1.26), Semimembranosus (1.85), Medial Gastrocnemius (1.00) and Lateral Gastrocnemius (1.18) are positively skewed which implies that majority of footballers scores are below the mean value and posses less activation during the Lofted Kick. And the Rectus Femoris (-0.57), Vastus Medialis (-0.72) and Semimembranosus (-0.76) value is negatively skewed, which implies majority of the selected footballers scores are above the mean value and posses better muscles activation in Instep Kick and Vastus Lateralis (1.34), Bicep Femoris (0.73), Medial Gastrocnemius (1.81) and Lateral Gastrocnemius (1.46) are positively skewed which implies that majority of footballers scores are below the mean value and posses less activation during the Instep Kick. Conclusion: The Rectus Femoris and Vastus Medialis are major muscles involved in inner curve kick, lofted kick and instep kick and in additional to these bicep femoris in lofted kick and Semimembranosus in instep kick were also actively involved and also posses better muscles activation than rest of the selected muscles.