Effects of knee joint kinematics on sprint performance in male and female football players

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to understand the relationship between knee joint kinematics and sprint performance, and to run a regression analysis to explain which kinematic variables could be used to better explain sprint performance in male and female football players. A total of 26 national-level football players (13 males and 13 females) participated in the study. Each participant’s 30 m sprint time and corresponding inertial sensor data were collected once. The inertial attitude data of the sensor was then calculated as knee joint kinematic data through inverse kinematics. The Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between sprint time and knee extension angular velocity during the swing phase (r = -0.629, p = 0.021) in males. For females, a significant negative correlation was found between sprint time and knee extension range of motion during the support phase (r = -0.687, p = 0.009). The regression model, which includes knee extension angular velocity during the swing phase, significantly predicts sprint time (R2 = 0.396, β = -0.629) in males. For females, the model containing knee extension range of motion during the support phase significantly predicts sprint time (R2 = 0.472, β = -0.687). In conclusion, male football players with faster knee joint extension during the swing phase had faster sprint performance. Female football players with fuller knee joint extension during the support phase had faster sprint performance.