Evaluation of the relationship between isokinetic strength and two different soccer throw-in performances

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to determine ball velocity and throwing distance in standing and running throw-in techniques, and to correlate this performances with isokinetic torques of the, elbow, shoulder, and trunk extensors and flexors. 14 male amateur soccer players volunteered to participate to the current study. Concentric Isokinetic tests were measured at 60 and 180 degrees/s angular velocities for elbow and shoulder, 30 and 120 degrees/s angular velocities for trunk. Ball velocity was measured by a radar gun and the throwing distance was measured regarding throw-in performance. Unpaired t-test was used to analyze ball velocity and throwing distance differences between two different throwing techniques. To clarify relationship between isokinetic strength values and ball velocities and distance which occur during two types of throwing techniques Pearson Correlation Analyze was used. There were no statistical significant differences regarding throwing velocity and distance between two different throw-in techniques. Even though, the isokinetic values and throwing velocities did not correlate with each other, there was a positive correlation between standing throw-in distance with elbow (non-dominant flexion at 60 and 180 degrees s(-1)), shoulder (dominant flexion-extension at 60 and 180 degrees s(-1), non-dominant extension at 60 and 180 degrees s(-1)) and trunk (flexion at 30 and 120 degrees s(-1)). The only correlation between running throw-in and throwing distance occurred in shoulder (dominant extension at 60 degrees s(-1)) and trunk (flexion at 30 degrees s(-1)). In conclusion, the isokinetic strength values regarding upper extremity is strong factor that describes standing throw-in performance. However; it is not highly correlated with the running throw-in performance in soccer.