Citation

Mangus BC, Wallmann HW, Ledford M. Sports Biomech. 2004; 3(2): 209-220.

Affiliation

Department of Kinesiology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Edinburgh University Press)

DOI

10.1080/14763140408522841

PMID

15552581

Abstract

The aim of our study was to determine if any immediate changes in balance were discernable in college soccer players after a specially designed heading session. Eight male and two female skilled collegiate soccer players had a baseline balance pre-test using the Balance Master, followed by heading 20 balls kicked consecutively by a teammate from the touchline to a point near the goal, which was followed by a post-test using the same testing technique. Paired t-tests were used to compare balance ability between pre- and post-test conditions. There was no difference in balance pre- to post-test (85.3% and 86.2% respectively). No significant difference was noted from pre- to post-test in the mean equilibrium scores for conditions three through six on the Sensory Organization Test, with the exception of condition four, which revealed a significant increase from pre- to post-test. We concluded that an acute session of heading soccer balls may not result in balance changes in collegiate soccer players.

Language: en