The effects of one-half of a soccer match on the postural stability and functional capacity of the lower limbs in young soccer players

OBJECTIVE Most injuries occur during the final 15 minutes of each half of a soccer match, suggesting that physical exertion may influence changes in neuromuscular control and the body's ability to stabilize the joints of the lower extremities. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of one-half of a soccer match on the functional capacity and stability of the lower limbs in young soccer players. METHODS We analyzed 27 soccer players by evaluating the functional capacity of their lower limbs using the hop test protocol and their level of postural stability using the Biodex Stability System. The evaluations were performed before and after 45 minutes of game time. RESULTS After the match, there was a decrease in the overall stability index (OSI) (F(1,23) = 5.64, p = 0.026) and the anterior-posterior stability index (APSI) (F(1,23) = 5.24,p = 0.032). In the single and triple hop tests, there was a higher functional capacity in the dominant limb compared to the non dominant limb in the pre- and post-game comparisons. CONCLUSION The results of this study show that there is a decrease in the stability of the lower limbs in young soccer players after a 45 minutes soccer match, but the same result was not found for the functional capacity.