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Laterality Influences Agility Performance in Elite Soccer Players
Hassane Zouhal1, Abderraouf B Abderrahman2, Gregory Dupont3
1Movement Sport Science and Health Laboratory (M2S), UFR-STAPS, University of Rennes 2 - ENS-Rennes, Bruz, France.
Frontiers in Physiology
|July 17, 2018
Summary
Elite soccer players show distinct laterality profiles, influencing their reaction and movement times during turns. Understanding player laterality is key to identifying and addressing performance deficits in soccer.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Biomechanics
- Human Movement
Background:
- Laterality, encompassing handedness, footedness, and eyedness, may impact performance in repetitive soccer actions.
- Understanding laterality in elite athletes is crucial for optimizing performance and identifying potential limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the laterality profiles of elite football players (EFP) compared to amateur football players (AFP).
- To analyze the effect of laterality on 180° left and right U-turn movements in soccer players.
Main Methods:
- Determined handedness, footedness, and eyedness in 72 EFP and 9 AFP.
- Assessed 180° left and right U-turn performance using a visual-motor task with accelerometers and video analysis.
Main Results:
- Elite football players predominantly exhibited 'crossed' laterality profiles, unlike amateurs who showed 'non-crossed' profiles.
- EFP demonstrated significantly faster reaction times compared to AFP, particularly those who were right-eyed.
- Significant differences in movement times for left rotations were observed between EFP and AFP, with footedness also impacting rotation speed in EFP.
Conclusions:
- Laterality profiles significantly differ between elite and amateur soccer players.
- Player laterality influences reaction times based on visual stimulus side and affects rotation speed during turns.
- Assessing laterality in soccer players is vital for pinpointing performance deficits, especially in turning maneuvers.
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