Velocidad de golpeo de balón & Kicking Déficit en futbolistas de élite

Abstract

Kicking ability represents the most important soccer-specific skill. The performance of kicking in soccer mainly depends on the maximum ball velocity. Moreover, achieving maximal kicking performance with both legs leads to an advantage for the soccer player. However, there is a Kicking deficit (KD) with the non-dominant leg, that could be defined as the percentage of the difference between the maximal velocity obtained for each player with the non-dominant leg in relation with the dominant leg. This thesis is collection of five papers. The first two publications are review articles focused on the study of maximal kicking velocity and its relationship with muscular strength. The last three publications are original researches focused on the study of KD and the relationship between maximal kicking velocity and vertical jump performance in young and adult elite soccer players. Our results show that Kicking Deficit is a constant element in elite soccer players. Furthermore, in young soccer, players kicking skill is not so consolidated strength and power factors are determinant for kicking performance, while in adult soccer players coordination factors (skilled players) become more important.