Effects of Positional Differences and Dual-task on Balance Performance of Saudi Soccer Players

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Biomechanics &Motor Behavior, College of Sport Science & Physical Activity, King Saud University, P.O. Box 4545, Riyadh 145111, Saudi Arabia

2 Research Laboratory Education, Motricité, Sport et Santé, LR19JS01, High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax 3000, Tunisia

Abstract

: In this study, we investigated the dynamic balance of young amateur soccer players to understand how dual-task and playing position influence postural control. Thirty-six national level players [goalkeepers (GK), defenders (DF), midfielders (MF) and forwards (FW)] were tested using a stability platform, in both eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) condition during single (ST) and dual-task (DT) conditions. The root-mean-square error (RMSE) of the stability platform angle was calculated and used as outcome measure. The results showed that playing positions did not influence balance performances except in the EO/ST condition. In such conditions, GKs reported better balance scores compared to other players. However, the RMSE values significantly decreased during the DT condition in comparison to the ST condition only in the EC condition for GKs (p<0.05), but not for the FW, MF and DF. In conclusion, balance performance did not vary with playing position in soccer players. However, the GKs showed significantly worse balance performance (p=0.024; 95% CI [0.33, 5.21]) in challenging postural conditions, DT condition with EC compared to ST/EC condition).

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