Date of Award

4-2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Health and Human Performance

Program

Exercise Science (MS)

First Advisor/Chairperson

Lukus Klawitter

Abstract

Soccer requires endurance, strength, power, and repeated sprints, with lower limb force generation crucial for acceleration, deceleration, change of direction (COD), and linear sprinting (LS). The countermovement jump (CMJ) is commonly used to assess force production, and the bilateral limb deficit (BLD) quantifies the difference in force output between unilateral and bilateral CMJs. This study examined the relationship between BLD and COD and LS performance in Division II male soccer players. NCAA Division II male soccer players (n=19; 20.8 ± 1.51 years; 179.68 ± 7.36 cm; 75.2 ± 6.30 kg) participated in this study. Following a dynamic warm-up, participants completed unilateral and bilateral CMJs to measure BLD via peak propulsive force (Fz) and jump height (cm). They performed the 505 Agility Test with and 10m and 30m LS sprints on a turf field, best time was used. Pearson correlation analysis showed no significant relationship between BLD and LS 10m (1.75 ± 0.05s, r = 0.01, p = 0.702), 30m (4.21 ± 0.08s, r = 0.148, p = 0.570) or COD 505 right (2.52 ± 0.08s, r = -0.216, p = 0.405) and 505 left (2.53 ± 0.06s, r = -0.203, p = 0.434). While LS and COD tests are reliable soccer performance indicators, BLD was not a predictor of LS or COD performance in collegiate male soccer players. These results show soccer and strength coaches that while it is important to perform unilateral and bilateral exercises, BLD may not be something to focus on when thinking about soccer performance.

Access Type

Open Access

Additional Files
Giuseppe Capello Real.pdf (36 kB)
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