Relationship between Respiratory Muscle Function and Postural Stability in Male Soccer Players: A Case-Control Study.

Felipe León-Morillas,Carlos Lozano-Quijada,Alfonso Javier Ibáñez-Vera,Martha Cecilia León-Garzón,Silvana Loana De Oliveira-Sousa,Miguel Ángel Lérida-Ortega

doi:10.3390/healthcare9060644

Abstract

The important role of postural stability in exercise performance has been determined by several authors. Despite this, few studies have analyzed the relationship between respiratory muscles’ strength and postural stability in athletes. For this reason, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between postural stability and respiratory muscles’ function in male soccer players. A case-control study was conducted over twenty-eight healthy men (18 soccer players; 10 non-athletes). Inspiratory muscle strength (MIP) and respiratory resistance (MVV) were obtained through a digital spirometer. Stability variables were obtained in standing position on a stabilometric platform and in open and closed eyes conditions. The area and length of the center of pressures and displacements in the X and Y range were analyzed. Pearson’s coefficient was used to measure the linear correlation between MIP, MVV and stabilometric variables. In the soccer players’ group, MIP and MIP % predictive were inversely correlated with length (r = −0.535 and r = −0.585; p < 0.05) and X range (r = −0.527 and r = −0.560; p < 0.05), whereas MVV was directly correlated with length (r = 0.606; p < 0.01) and Y range (r = 0.558; p < 0.05). Our results show that the greater the inspiratory muscle strength, the less displacement of the pressure center, while at higher respiratory rates there is greater displacement.

Highlights

Postural stability is an essential motor skill, based mainly on muscle synergies, which act to minimize the displacement of the center of pressure (CoP) and maintain an upright posture, proper orientation and adequate locomotion [1]
The present investigation was a case-control study conducted to examine the relationship between respiratory muscle function and postural stability in soccer players
The objective of this study was to investigate whether respiratory muscle function was associated with postural stability in soccer players

Summary

Introduction

Postural stability is an essential motor skill, based mainly on muscle synergies, which act to minimize the displacement of the center of pressure (CoP) and maintain an upright posture, proper orientation and adequate locomotion [1]. In a sport like soccer, postural talent might be considered as an indicator of performance [2]. Players must use their motor skills and control their posture, while gathering visual information about other team members as well as opponents. Motor skills on show include frequently performed lower extremity passing, shooting and dribbling skills with soccer cleats on a grass surface [3]. Due to the conditions of the game itself, for soccer players, it is essential to have a good balance to control, pass or shoot the ball. Players must conserve balance as opposing players try to take the ball away from them [4]

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