Gender effects on limb dominance in kicking biomechanics in elite soccer players

Abstract

The objective of this study was to study the effect of gender on the limb dominance in kicking in scrceer players. Forty-five players (twenty-six females and nineteen males) belonging to elite soccer teams volunteered to take prt in the study. They performed 5 instep soccer kicks with either limb into a target 7m away. Female soccer players hd a lesser flexed knee at ball impact in the nondminant limb which contributed to lower ball velocities in the toe and subsequently in the ball. Both gen&rs had a shorter backswing with the nondominant limb, but this difference was made up in the follow through for males and in the subsequent phases for females. Working on bilateral symmetry and coordination would help improve kicking with the nondminant limb, especially in females.