Abstract:

Purpose: In this study, it was aimed to determine the relationships between lower extremity muscle strength asymmetry, dynamic balance and ankle injury risk in professional football players. Method: The participants of the study comprised twenty professional male soccer players. Y Balance Test was used to evaluate bilateral dynamic balance. Groinbar system was used to evaluate maximal isometric contraction of bilateral hip flexor, hip extensor, hip abductor, hip adductor, knee flexor, knee extensor, ankle dorsiflexor, ankle plantar flexor, ankle evertor and ankle muscle groups. Results: The mean age of the players included in the study was 27,80±5,80 years and the mean body mass index was 24,04±1,55 kg/m². It was found that there was statistically meaningful result between ratio of bilateral dorsiflexors/plantar flexors muscle groups and anterior-posterior bilateral difference in balance test (Left: p=0,012, rho=-0,552, Right: p=0, rho=- 0,727). It was found that there was meaningful correlation between bilateral force asymmetry of plantar flexors and anteriorposterior bilateral difference. (p=0,038, rho=0,466). In addition, when the anterior-posterior balance difference is evaluated in terms of injury risk; a meaningful correlation was found between the ratio of hip abductor and adductor muscle groups, and the risk of ankle injury. (Left: p=0,026, rho=-0,498, Right: p=0,006, rho=-0,595). Conclusion: It was found that bilateral plantar flexor strength asymmetry and the isometric strength ratio of plantar flexor / dorsiflexor and adductor/abductor muscle groups of the lower extremity in professional football players had relationships with dynamic balance and ankle injury risk.

Keywords: