Leg preference and interlateral performance asymmetry in soccer player children
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Published on: June 10, 2025
Maria Cândida Tocci Teixeira1, Luis Augusto Teixeira
1Human Motor Systems Laboratory University of São Paulo São Paulo 05508-900, Brazil.
Abstract:
Strength of leg preference and interlateral asymmetry in kinematics of kicking a ball for power were assessed in 6- to 10-year-old right-footed soccer player children. Leg preference was evaluated separately for three task categories: balance stabilization, soccer related mobilization, and general mobilization. The results showed that while both categories of mobilization tasks were featured by a consistent preference for the right leg, in stabilization tasks we observed lower scores and greater interindividual variability of leg preference. No effect of age was detected on leg preference. Analysis of peak foot velocity revealed similar increment of performance of the right and left legs from the ages 6-8 to 10 years. This finding supports the notion of stable magnitude of interlateral asymmetries of performance during motor development.
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