Physiological and Psychological Predictors of Functional Performance Related to Injury Risk in Female Athletes: A...

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Psychology

Background:

• Lower-extremity injuries are prevalent in female athletes, with multifactorial predictors needing further elucidation.
• Understanding physiological and psychological readiness is vital for optimizing athletic performance and preventing injuries.
• This study investigates the predictive role of physiological and psychological variables on functional lower limb performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the predictive impact of physiological factors (VO2peak, anaerobic power, agility, isokinetic strength) on functional performance.
• To evaluate the predictive impact of psychological factors (resilience, self-efficacy) on functional performance.
• To identify key predictors of functional performance related to injury risk in female athletes.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 60 female athletes.
• Functional performance assessed using the Lower Extremity Functional Test (LEFT), anaerobic power tests, aerobic capacity tests, isokinetic strength tests, and jump performance tests (Single-Leg Hop [SLH], Standing Long Jump [SLJ]).
• Psychological assessments included the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) and a resilience questionnaire, followed by hierarchical regression analysis.

Main Results:

• VO2peak, anaerobic power, and jump performance were associated with functional performance.
• General self-efficacy showed a modest negative correlation with LEFT performance.
• Single-Leg Hop (SLH) distance, VO2peak, and General Self-Efficacy (GSES) emerged as the strongest independent predictors of LEFT performance (R² = 0.58).

Conclusions:

• Single-Leg Hop (SLH) distance, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2peak), and general self-efficacy are significant predictors of functional performance in female athletes.
• These identified factors can serve as practical indicators for tailoring injury prevention strategies.
• Targeted interventions focusing on improving SLH, VO2peak, and self-efficacy may reduce lower-extremity injury risk in female athletes.