4/2019
vol. 20
abstract:
Footedness in fitness and technical skills in young soccer players
1.
Cracow University of Economics, Cracow, Poland
Human Movement 2019 vol. 20 (4), 52-58
Online publish date: 2019/07/11
Purpose The aim of the study was to identify differences in fitness abilities and technical skills between young right-footed
and left-footed soccer players.
Methods The measurements included data collected from 111 male footballers aged 12–17 years (divided into 3 age
categories: U13, U15, U17). Fitness abilities (5-m, 10-m, 30-m sprint, envelope run, standing long jump) and technical skill
(dribbling, juggling, short passes, long passes) were measured.
Results The results failed to show significant differences (p > 0.05) in speed, agility, or explosive strength of lower limbs
between right- and left-footed soccer players in the U13, U15, and U17 categories. No significant differences between soccer
players (right-footed, left-footed) were found in the dominant leg performance (p > 0.005), whereas for the non-dominant leg,
left-footed U15 players had higher performance in juggling (p < 0.05) and long passes (p < 0.01). Regardless of age category,
left-footed players were characterized by a lower range of asymmetry in all technical skills. Significant differences were
observed only for dribbling skills in U13 (p < 0.05).
Conclusions The type of lateral dominance (right-footedness, left-footedness) does not differentiate between young soccer
players in terms of fitness abilities. Left-footed footballers are more symmetrical in technical preparation compared with
the right-footed ones. With age and experience in training, a reduction in functional asymmetry in technical skills is
observed between lower limbs in both right- and left-footed soccer players. Regardless of the type of lateral dominance,
young players have their reserves in terms of symmetrical technical preparation.
keywords:
laterality, left-footed, right-footed, non-dominant leg, functional asymmetry
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