MUSCULOSKELETAL ADAPTATIONS TO A HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER SEASON IN FEMALE PLAYERS

PURPOSE:Changes in musculoskeletal function over the course of a season can inform on the performance demand of the sport. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in musculoskeletal function from preseason to post season in a female high school soccer team. METHODS: Fifty female high school soccer players (21 Freshman, 9 Junior Varsity, 20 Varsity) were assessed in preseason and post season with a battery of 4 lower extremity musculoskeletal function tests: (1) Y-Balance (YBT) anterior (AR), posteromedial (PMR) and posterolateral (PLR) functional reach; (2) single and double limb vertical jump height (SVJ & DVJ); (3) hip flexion (HF), abduction (HAB and adduction (HAD) strength; (4) single limb squat test. YBT was assessed on a Star Excursion test mat. Vertical jump height was measured using a jump mat. Hip strength was tested with a hand-held dynamometer. The single limb squat test had 4 levels of difficulty based on how low the player could squat under control. Repeated measures analysis of variance and paired t-tests were used to assess changes from pre to post season. RESULTS: The season lasted 11 weeks. YBT improved from pre to post season (P < 0.001) with effects specific to the reach direction (pre-post by direction P < 0.001) but not different between legs (pre-post by side P = 0.295). AR did not improve (<1% change P = 0.474), PMR improved by 3.5% (P < 0.001) and PLR improved by 4.1% (P < 0.001). DVJ improved by 4.8% (P < 0.001) and SVJ improved by 6.8% (P < 0.001) with no difference in improvements between sides (P = 0.603). Hip strength improved (P = 0.020) with improvements specific to side (pre-post by side P = 0.006) and muscle group (P = 0.039). HAD strength improved by 11.2% on the dominant side (P = 0.001) and by 5.6% on the nondominant side (P = 0.043). HF and HAB strength did not improve. There were no improvements in the single limb squat test from pre to post season (P = 0.627). CONCLUSIONS:The improvement in HAD strength highlights the high demand soccer places on the hip adductors. Improvements in vertical jump, and YBT indicate enhancement of lower extremity power and mobility. These tests of musculoskeletal function can be used to identify positive adaptations and maladaptations in female soccer players.