Gender-Specific Relationships Between Ankle Mobility, Foot Strength, and Trunk Control in Futsal Players: A...

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Neuromuscular Physiology

Background:

• Futsal demands high levels of ankle mobility, toe strength, and core stability.
• Understanding the interplay of these factors is crucial for player performance and injury prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationships between ankle dorsiflexion, first toe strength (TFS), and core stability in male and female futsal players.
• To identify potential gender-specific neuromuscular strategies.

Main Methods:

• Evaluated 14 male and 22 female futsal players.
• Measured ankle dorsiflexion range of motion using LegMotion®.
• Assessed core stability via the OCTOcore app during single-leg deadlift (SLD) and bird-dog (BD) exercises.
• Measured toe flexor strength (TFS) and plantar flexor endurance.

Main Results:

• Males: Moderate positive correlation between ankle dorsiflexion and TFS (p < 0.01). Negative correlation between TFS and SLD performance.
• Females: Negative correlation between ankle dorsiflexion and BD performance. Positive correlation between TFS and SLD performance.

Conclusions:

• Ankle mobility and toe strength contribute to enhanced core stability in male futsal players.
• Female futsal players demonstrate distinct neuromuscular strategies.
• Findings suggest the necessity of gender-specific training programs in futsal.