Football is the most recognizable and popular game in the world. Compared to ten or more years ago, modern football has developed into intensive sport with a more compressed schedule of training sessions and matches. With increase training and games loads there is an increase possibility of injury occurrence. However, the relationship between training and competition loads, the power and strength of the lower extremities, and the occurrence of injuries has not yet been fully elucidated. In football, injuries to the lower extremities (hip, knee and ankle) are the most prevalent, thus, the importance of early screening of movement deficits, implementation of preventive training and building sufficient strength of the lower extremities is crucial.
The purpose of this thesis was to gain insight into the selected parameters of lower limb muscle strength and power in football players from the 1st Slovenian Football League and to examine the potential associations between lower limb muscle strength and power parameters and the incidence of lower limb injuries in latter population.
The results showed that the majority of football players injured ankle (45.45%) or knee (36.36%) at least once, while most football players did not injure hamstring (81.82%) or groin (77.27 %). The results of isokinetic measurements of knee extensors and flexors strength indicate a higher strength of the knee flexors in the right leg (+12 Nm, p=0.007) and a consequently lower ratio between the maximal concentric torque of the hamstrings and the maximal concentric torque of the quadriceps muscles (HQR) in the left leg (–4.94%, p=0.039). There were no differences between injured and uninjured football players in maximal strength of the knee extensors and flexors.
In this thesis, there was no significant relationship between the selected parameters of the strength of the lower extremities and the injury incidence. Nevertheless, regular screening and preventive training under the supervision of a kinesiologist are crucial in ensuring an adequate level of muscle strength and reducing the possibility of injury, therefore, future work in sports practice should place more emphasis on it.
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