title: Analysis of postural stability in collegiate soccer players before and after an acute bout of heading multiple soccer balls.
abstract: The aim of our study was to determine if any immediate changes in balance were discernable in college soccer players after a specially designed heading session. Eight male and two female skilled collegiate soccer players had a baseline balance pre-test using the Balance Master, followed by heading 20 balls kicked consecutively by a teammate from the touchline to a point near the goal, which was followed by a post-test using the same testing technique. Paired t-tests were used to compare balance ability between pre- and post-test conditions. There was no difference in balance pre- to post-test (85.3% and 86.2% respectively). No significant difference was noted from pre- to post-test in the mean equilibrium scores for conditions three through six on the Sensory Organization Test, with the exception of condition four, which revealed a significant increase from pre- to post-test. We concluded that an acute session of heading soccer balls may not result in balance changes in collegiate soccer players.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA.
authors.forename: Brent C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Mangus
authors.forename: Harvey W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Wallmann
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ledford
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000209:etiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D004856:Postural Balance; D011336:Probability; D011930:Reaction Time; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology*