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Heading in Soccer: Does Kinematics of the Head‐Neck‐Torso Alignment Influence Head Acceleration?
(2021)
There is little scientific evidence regarding the cumulative effect of purposeful heading. The head-neck-torso alignment is considered to be of great importance when it comes to minimizing potential risks when heading. Therefore, this study determined the relationship between head-neck-torso alignment (cervical spine, head, thoracic spine) and the acceleration of the head, the relationship between head acceleration and maximum ball speed after head impact and differences between head accelerations throughout different heading approaches (standing, jumping, running). A total of 60 male soccer players (18.9 ± 4.0 years, 177.6 ± 14.9 cm, 73.1 ± 8.6 kg) participated in the study. Head accelerations were measured by a telemetric Noraxon DTS 3D Sensor, whereas angles for the head-neck-torso alignment and ball speed were analyzed with a Qualisys Track Manager program. No relationship at all was found for the standing, jumping and running approaches. Concerning the relationship between head acceleration and maximum ball speed after head impact only for the standing header a significant result was calculated (p = 0.024, R2 = .085). A significant difference in head acceleration (p < .001) was identified between standing, jumping and running headers. To sum up, the relationship between head acceleration and head-neck-torso alignment is more complex than initially assumed and could not be proven in this study. Furthermore first data were generated to check whether the acceleration of the head is a predictor for the resulting maximum ball speed after head impact, but further investigations have to follow. Lastly, we confirmed the results that the head acceleration differs with the approach.
Pain in the pubic symphysis is of significance, especially in high-performance sports.
Pelvic torsion, possibly caused by muscular imbalances, is discussed as a pathogenic mechanism.
This study examined a possible interrelationship between the maximum torques of quadriceps
femoris and hamstrings and the spatial positioning of the hemi-pelvises, as well as the tenderness to
palpation of the pubic symphysis. The three-dimensional pelvic contour of 26 pain free adolescents
(age 16.0 ± 0.8 years, weight 66.3 ± 9.9 kg, height 176.2 ± 6.0 cm) was registered by means of an 3D
optical system and the torsion of both hemi-pelvises against each other was calculated based on a
simplified geometrical model. Tenderness on palpation of the pubic symphysis was assessed by
means of a visual analogue scale, and isometric torques of knee extensors and flexors were measured
for both legs. The torque ratio between knee extensors and flexors was calculated for both sides,
as was the crossed torque ratio between the two legs. On the basis of a MANOVA, possible significant
differences in torques and torque ratios between subgroups with lower and higher pelvic torsion
were analyzed. The crossed torque ratio (F = 19.55, p < 0.001, partial η
2 = 0.453) and the tenderness to
palpation of the pubic symphysis (F = 10.72, p = 0.003, partial η
2 = 0.309) were significantly higher in
the subgroup with higher pelvic torsion. The results indicate the crossed torque ratio of knee flexors
and extensors as a potential biomechanical-pathogenic mechanism to be considered in the primary
prevention and diagnosis of symphyseal pain.
The importance of well trained and stable neck flexors and extensors as well as trunk muscles for intentional headers in soccer is increasingly discussed. The neck flexors and extensors should ensure a coupling of trunk and head at the time of ball contact to increase the physical mass hitting the ball and reduce head acceleration. The aim of the study was to analyze the influence of a 6-week strength training program (neck flexors, neck extensors) on the acceleration of the head during standing, jumping and running headers as well as after fatigue of the trunk muscles on a pendulum header. A total of 33 active male soccer players (20.3 ± 3.6 years, 1.81 ± 0.07 m, 75.5 ± 8.3 kg) participated and formed two training intervention groups (IG1: independent adult team, IG2: independent youth team) and one control group (CG: players from different teams). The training intervention consisted of three exercises for the neck flexors and extensors. The training effects were verified by means of the isometric maximum voluntary contraction (IMVC) measured by a telemetric Noraxon DTS force sensor. The head acceleration during ball contact was determined using a telemetric Noraxon DTS 3D accelerometer. There was no significant change of the IMVC over time between the groups (F=2.265, p=.121). Head acceleration was not reduced significantly for standing (IG1 0.4 ± 2.0, IG2 0.1 ± 1.4, CG -0.4 ± 1.2; F = 0.796, p = 0.460), jumping (IG1-0.7 ± 1.4, IG2-0.2 ± 0.9, CG 0.1 ± 1.2; F = 1.272, p = 0.295) and running (IG1-1.0 ± 1.9, IG2-0.2 ± 1.4, CG -0.1 ± 1.6; F = 1.050, p = 0.362) headers as well as after fatigue of the trunk musculature for post-jumping (IG1-0.2 ± 2.1, IG2-0.6 ± 1.4; CG -0.6 ± 1.3; F = 0.184, p = 0.833) and post-running (IG1-0.3 ± 1.6, IG2-0.7 ± 1.2, CG 0.0 ± 1.4; F = 0.695, p = 0.507) headers over time between IG1, IG2 and CG. A 6-week strength training of the neck flexors and neck extensors could not show the presumed preventive benefit. Both the effects of a training intervention and the consequences of an effective intervention for the acceleration of the head while heading seem to be more complex than previously assumed and presumably only come into effect in case of strong impacts.
Key words: Heading, kinetics, head-neck-torso-alignment, neck musculature, repetitive head impacts, concussion
Poor posture in childhood and adolescence is held responsible for the occurrence
of associated disorders in adult age. This study aimed to verify whether body
posture in adolescence can be enhanced through the improvement of neuromuscular
performance, attained by means of targeted strength, stretch, and body perception
training, and whether any such improvement might also transition into adulthood. From
a total of 84 volunteers, the posture development of 67 adolescents was checked
annually between the age of 14 and 20 based on index values in three posture
situations. 28 adolescents exercised twice a week for about 2 h up to the age of 18, 24
adolescents exercised continually up to the age of 20. Both groups practiced other
additional sports for about 1.8 h/week. Fifteen persons served as a non-exercising
control group, practicing optional sports of about 1.8 h/week until the age of 18,
after that for 0.9 h/week. Group allocation was not random, but depended on the
participants’ choice. A linear mixed model was used to analyze the development
of posture indexes among the groups and over time and the possible influence of
anthropometric parameters (weight, size), of optional athletic activity and of sedentary
behavior. The post hoc pairwise comparison was performed applying the Scheffé test.
The significance level was set at 0.05. The group that exercised continually (TR20)
exhibited a significant posture parameter improvement in all posture situations from
the 2nd year of exercising on. The group that terminated their training when reaching
adulthood (TR18) retained some improvements, such as conscious straightening of the
body posture. In other posture situations (habitual, closed eyes), their posture results
declined again from age 18. The effect sizes determined were between Eta² = 0.12 and
Eta² = 0.19 and represent moderate to strong effects. The control group did not exhibit
any differences. Anthropometric parameters, additional athletic activities and sedentary
behavior did not influence the posture parameters significantly. An additional athletic
training of 2 h per week including elements for improved body perception seems to
have the potential to improve body posture in symptom free male adolescents and
young adults.
The core muscles play a central role in stabilizing the head during headers in soccer. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of a fatigued core musculature on the acceleration of the head during jump headers and run headers. Acceleration of the head was measured in a pre-post-design in 68 soccer players (age: 21.5 ± 3.8 years, height: 180.0 ± 13.9 cm, weight: 76.9 ± 8.1 kg). Data were recorded by means of a telemetric 3D acceleration sensor and with a pendulum header. The treatment encompassed two exercises each for the ventral, lateral, and dorsal muscle chains. The acceleration of the head between pre- and post-test was reduced by 0.3 G (p = 0.011) in jump headers and by 0.2 G (p = 0.067) in run headers. An additional analysis of all pretests showed an increased acceleration in run headers when compared to stand headers (p < 0.001) and jump headers (p < 0.001). No differences were found in the sub-group comparisons: semi-professional vs. recreational players, offensive vs. defensive players. Based on the results, we conclude that the acceleration of the head after fatiguing the core muscles does not increase, which stands in contrast to postulated expectations. More tests with accelerated soccer balls are required for a conclusive statement.