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Association Between Change-of-Direction Performance and Landing Impact Characteristics During a Single-Leg Forward Drop Jump Landing Task in Junior Soccer Players

delete2026-08-11
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OA
AI
S
Shinya Kishi *
Y
Yuuji Kimura
T
Takao Minami
DOI:10.3390/jfmk11030312delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Background and Objectives: Efficient landing shock attenuation is important for both athletic performance and lower-extremity injury prevention in youth soccer players. Although landing biomechanics and change-of-direction (COD) performance have been widely investigated, the relationship between field-based COD performance and landing impact characteristics remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the relationships between linear sprint performance, COD performance, and landing impact during a standardized single-leg forward drop jump landing task in junior soccer players. Methods: Thirty-six junior soccer players (22 boys and 14 girls; 10–12 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Linear sprint performance and COD performance were assessed using a 30 m sprint test and a 30 m zigzag run test, respectively. Landing impact was evaluated during a standardized single-leg forward drop jump landing task using a force plate. Body weight-normalized peak vertical ground reaction force (peak vGRF, %BW) was calculated for each trial, and the average of the final five successful trials was used for analysis. Relationships between performance measures and body weight-normalized peak vGRF were examined using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients and partial Spearman correlation analyses adjusted for sex. Results: No significant correlation was observed between 30 m sprint performance and body weight-normalized peak vGRF (ρ = 0.106, p = 0.537). In contrast, 30 m zigzag run performance showed a moderate positive correlation with body weight-normalized peak vGRF (ρ = 0.401, p = 0.015), indicating that poorer COD performance was associated with greater landing impact. This association remained significant after adjustment for sex (partial ρ = 0.474, p = 0.004). Conclusions: These findings suggest that landing impact characteristics may represent one biomechanical factor associated with COD performance. Although the observed association was moderate, field-based COD assessments may provide practical information regarding landing impact characteristics. Future studies should incorporate biological maturation, COD deficit, and additional biomechanical variables to further clarify these relationships.
Keywords:
change-of-direction performance
youth soccer
vertical ground reaction force

Journal

J
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
IF:
2.5
Papers:
1.0K
Citations:
1.8K

Organization

T
Takarazuka University of Medical and Health Care
Scholars:
8
Papers: 6
Citations: 21
S
sumiya orthopedic hospital
Scholars:
3
Papers: 1
Citations: 0
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