title: Reliability and sensitivity of a simple isometric posterior lower limb muscle test in professional football players.
abstract: This study aimed (1) to determine the reliability of a simple and quick test to assess isometric posterior lower limb muscle force in professional football players and (2) verify its sensitivity to detect reductions in force following a competitive match. Twenty-nine professional football players performed a 3-s maximal isometric contraction of the posterior lower limb muscles for both legs with players lying supine. Both legs were tested using a knee angle of 90° and 30° measured on a force plate. Players were tested twice with one week between sessions to verify reliability. Sensitivity was tested following a full competitive football match. The test showed high reliability for dominant leg at 90° (CV = 4.3%, ICC = 0.95, ES = 0.15), non-dominant leg at 90° (CV = 5.4%, ICC = 0.95, ES = 0.14), and non-dominant leg at 30° (CV = 4.8%, ICC = 0.93, ES = 0.30) and good reliability for dominant leg at 30° (CV = 6.3%, ICC = 0.86, ES = 0.05). The measure was sensitive enough to detect reductions in force for dominant leg at 90° (P = 0.0006, ES > 1), non-dominant leg at 90° (P = 0.0142, ES = 1), and non-dominant leg at 30° (P = 0.0064, ES > 1) and for dominant leg at 30° (P = 0.0016, ES > 1). In conclusion, the present test represents a useful and practical field tool to determine the magnitude of match-induced fatigue of the posterior lower limb muscles and potentially to track their recovery.
authors.affiliation: a Univ Lille 2 Nord de France , France.
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McCall
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nedelec
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carling
authors.forename: Franck
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Le Gall
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berthoin
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dupont
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003163:Competitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: injuries; muscle strength; recovery; reproducibility; soccer