How Biomechanics Influences Soccer

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How Biomechanics has influenced Soccer
Biomechanics is the application of mechanical principles in the study of living organisms. (J. Hall, 1991, p. 524). For the purpose of this essay I will focus on how biomechanics has influenced soccer. Soccer is a worldwide sport that is played right from elite level all the way down to children playing in the school playground just for fun. Soccer is a popular sport in most countries, but it is just considered a sport to most people, they do not focus on the true biomechanics related to it. Biomechanics has an important role right from the Goalkeeper up the forwards. Throughout this essay I will focus on biomechanical factors related to the skills involved in the game, the equipment used in soccer, the surfaces played on and Injuries which are related to the sport.

The Kick
In soccer the main action which is involved is the kicking of the ball. I have researched many journal articles, books etc. but the main focus seems to be on the instep kick. According to Wickstrom’s (1975) there are four main stages to the motion in mature kicking:
(1) The withdrawal of the thigh and shank during the backswing
(2) The rotation of the thigh and shank forwards, which occurs as a result of hip flexion
(3) When the thigh angular velocity reduces, there is a corresponding increase in shank angular velocity up to impact with the ball
(4) The follow-through.
The graphs in Fig. 3 can be interpreted in relation to the progression of the kicking skill suggested by Wickstom’s (1975). During stage 2, both the shank and thigh increase their angular velocity. In stage 3, just before impact, there is an increase in shank angular velocity and a decrease in thigh angular velocity. A large angular velocity of the shan...

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...nd Sports Injuries. London: Sports Council.

Surve, I., Schwellnus, M.P., Noakes, T. and Lombard, C. (1994). A ®vefold reduction in the incidence of recurrent ankle sprains in soccer players using the sport-stirrup orthosis. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 22, 601±606.
Valiant, G.A. (1988). Ground reaction forces developed on artificial turf. In Science and Football (edited by T. Reilly, A. Lees, K. Davids and W.J. Murphy), pp. 406- 415. London: E & FN Spon

Wickstrom, R.L. (1975). Developmental kinesiology. Exercise and Sports Science Reviews, 3, 163-192.

Winterbottom, Sir W. (1985). Artificial Grass Surfaces for Association Football - Report and Recommendations. London: Sports Council

Zernicke, R. and Roberts, E.M. (1978). Lower extremity forces and torques during systematic variation of non-weight bearing motion. Medicine and Science in Sports, 10, 21±26.

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