Sex-Based Differences and Associations in Muscle Stiffness and Reactive Strength Index Among Elite Male and Female Soccer Players

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 27 Sayı: 2, 335 - 342, 31.08.2025

Abdullah Kilci

Öz

The aim of this study was to compare reactive strength index (RSI), muscle stiffness, and aerobic capacity between male and female soccer players, and to examine their relationships with physical performance. A total of 32 soccer players participated in the study, including 16 female players (age: 18.06 ± 3.21 years; height: 1.66 ± 0.09 m; body mass: 56.87 ± 7.51 kg; BMI: 20.78 ± 2.03 kg/m²; training age: 7.09 ± 2.49 years) and 16 male players (age: 21.37 ± 3.86 years; height: 1.79 ± 0.06 m; body mass: 71.87 ± 8.93 kg; BMI: 22.51 ± 2.20 kg/m²; training age: 11.37 ± 4.22 years). To compare performance characteristics between sexes, several key physical parameters were assessed, including linear sprint velocity, aerobic capacity (via the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test), maximal ball velocity, leg stiffness, and Reactive Strength Index (RSI). Significant sex-based differences were found in sprint (p = 0.000, ES = 2.34), 30-15 IFT (p = 0.005, ES = 1.07), kicking velocity (p = 0.000, ES = 3.31), RSI (p = 0.043, ES = 0.75), and stiffness (p = 0.007, ES = 1.02). In females, stiffness was negatively correlated with kicking velocity (p = 0.017, ES = –8.34), while in males, RSI (p = 0.013, r = 0.604, ES = 2.47) and stiffness (p = 0.028, r = 0.548, ES = 1.82) were positively correlated with kicking velocity. Additionally, stiffness was positively related to 30-15 IFT performance in males (p = 0.049, r = 0.499, ES = 1.98). Male players showed higher RSI and stiffness values, which were more strongly associated with performance, while lower stiffness in females may support technical skills but increase injury risk. These findings highlight the importance of sex-specific training approaches that consider neuromechanical differences in performance and injury prevention.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Aerobic capacity , Injury risk , Kicking performance , Neuromechanical characteristics , Sprint

Elit Erkek ve Kadın Futbolcularda Kas Sertliği ve Reaktif Kuvvet İndeksi Arasındaki Cinsiyete Dayalı Farklılıklar ve İlişkiler

Öz

Bu çalışmanın amacı, erkek ve kadın futbolcular arasında reaktif kuvvet indeksi (RSI), kas sertliği ve aerobik kapasiteyi karşılaştırmak ve bu parametrelerin fiziksel performansla olan ilişkilerini incelemektir. Çalışmaya 32 futbolcu katılmıştır; bunların 16’sı kadın (yaş: 18.06 ± 3.21 yıl; boy: 1.66 ± 0.09 m; vücut ağırlığı: 56.87 ± 7.51 kg; BKİ: 20.78 ± 2.03 kg/m²; antrenman yaşı: 7.09 ± 2.49 yıl) ve 16’sı erkektir (yaş: 21.37 ± 3.86 yıl; boy: 1.79 ± 0.06 m; vücut ağırlığı: 71.87 ± 8.93 kg; BKİ: 22.51 ± 2.20 kg/m²; antrenman yaşı: 11.37 ± 4.22 yıl). Cinsiyete bağlı performans farklılıklarını karşılaştırmak amacıyla doğrusal sprint hızı, aerobik kapasite (30-15 Aralıklı Fitness Testi), maksimum şut hızı, bacak sertliği ve reaktif kuvvet indeksi gibi temel fiziksel parametreler değerlendirilmiştir. Sprint (p = 0.000, ES = 2.34), 30-15 IFT (p = 0.005, ES = 1.07), maksimum şut hızı (p = 0.000, ES = 3.31), RSI (p = 0.043, ES = 0.75) ve bacak sertliği (p = 0.007, ES = 1.02) performanslarında cinsiyetler arasında anlamlı farklar bulunmuştur. Kadın futbolcularda, bacak sertliği ile topa vurma hızı arasında negatif korelasyon saptanmıştır (p = 0.017, ES = –8.34); erkek futbolcularda ise RSI (p = 0.013, r = 0.604, ES = 2.47) ve sertlik (p = 0.028, r = 0.548, ES = 1.82) şut hızı ile pozitif ilişkili bulunmuştur. Ayrıca, erkeklerde sertlik, 30-15 IFT performansı ile anlamlı pozitif ilişki göstermiştir (p = 0.049, r = 0.499, ES = 1.98). Erkek futbolcular daha yüksek RSI ve sertlik değerlerine sahipken, bu parametreler performansla daha güçlü ilişkiler göstermiştir. Kadınlarda ise daha düşük kas sertliği teknik becerilere katkı sağlayabilirken, yaralanma riskini artırabileceği görülmüştür. Bu bulgular, performans ve sakatlanma riskine yönelik cinsiyete özgü antrenman yaklaşımlarının önemini ortaya koymaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Aerobik kapasite , Yaralanma riski , Vuruş performansı , Nöromekanik özellikler , Sprint

Kaynakça

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