Characteristics of lower limb force exertion during diving motions by collegiate male soccer goalkeepers

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Diving is a high-intensity movement with a determining effect on the soccer game. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of distance and height on lower limb kinetics and ground reaction force (GRF) during a diving motion of soccer goalkeepers. Methods:The analysis was based on whole-body three-dimensional motion capture (250 Hz) with GRFs recorded using force plates (1000 Hz). Lower limb joint torque and power profile were computed using standard inverse dynamics equations. Results: Significant effects of both dive distance and ball height were identified based on the magnitude and orientation of the GRF vector for the ball-side leg (BS leg) and on the magnitude of the GRF vector for the contralateral-side leg (CS leg). Overall, flexion torques were negligible, with significant contributions of the hip and ankle to extension torques and power. Of note, the BS leg provided an important negative (braking) power, which increased as a function of increasing ball distance and height. Conclusion: From these results, spatial parameters of the goalkeeper's diving motion appear to affect the kinetics of the BS leg.