Recherche clinique sur le pied et la cheville

Abstrait

Playing Position and Professional Experience Influence Proprioceptive Abilities and Ankle Evertor Muscle Strength: A Study of A French 1st Division Men's Soccer Team

Dr. Ronny Lopes MD, Gregoire Rougereau MD, Pierre-Alban Bouche MD PhD, Thomas Bauer MD PhD, Jean Philippe Cadu MD, Cedric Ngbilo MD, Alexandre Hardy MD

Background: To our knowledge there are no studies in the literature evaluating proprioceptive function and ankle evertor muscle strength in professional soccer players.

Hypothesis: Some parameters influence proprioceptive abilities and ankle evertor muscle strength in the members of a first division professional football team

Methods: All members of a men’s first division French soccer team in the season of 2020 were considered for Inclusion. The subjects underwent a battery of tests and a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was conducted. All measurements were performed by the same examiner who was trained in the use of the MyoluxTM device: three for proprioception (repositioning, dissociation and functional) and three for muscular reinforcement (eccentric, concentric and functional).

Results: Thirty-two players were included. The mean proprioception scores for repositioning and concentric evertor muscle strength were 59.5 +/- 23.7% and 61.3 +/- 29.5%, respectively. The foot used (non-kicking vs kicking) did not influence the results of the proprioceptive assessment or muscle strength. Mid-fielders (p <0.01), goal keepers (p=0.03) and players with a history of ankle injury in the non-kicking foot (p<0.01) had the best repositioning proprioception results. Goal keepers had the best dissociation proprioception results (p <0.01).

Concentric muscle strength values increased with age (p <0.01), the number of years as a professional player (p<0.01), and an absence of a history of knee injury in the non-kicking leg (p=0.02).

Conclusion: Ankle proprioception may be influenced by a soccer player’s position. Goal keepers, and to a lesser extent mid-fielders have the best proprioception scores.