Open Access
Side to side differences in patellar tendon kinetics of the support limb during maximal instep soccer kicking
Author(s) -
Jonathan Kenneth Sinclair,
Hannah Shore,
Stephen Atkins,
Sarah Jane Hobbs
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
baltic journal of health and physical activity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2080-1297
pISSN - 2080-9999
DOI - 10.29359/bjhpa.07.4.01
Subject(s) - patellar tendon , tendon , quadriceps tendon , medicine , etiology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , patella , lower limb , physical therapy , surgery
Background: Kicking actions have been implicated in the aetiology of soccer injuries, and the unilateral nature of kicking may influence this. The aim of the current investigation was to determine whether soccer players exhibit bilateral differences in support limb patellar tendon loads. Material/Methods: Fifteen male soccer players were examined whilst kicking a stationary soccer ball with both their dominant and non-dominant feet. Patellar tendon kinetics were obtained from each limb and then contrasted using paired samples t-tests. Results: Significant increases in patellar tendon kinetics were found when using the non-dominant limb. Conclusions: The findings from the current investigation have clinical significance and support the notion that kicking with the non-dominant limb may be associated with increased risk for patellar tendon injury aetiology.