Muscle, strength and rebound asymmetry in young football players

The aim of our study was to verify the relationship between the amount of muscle mass (MM), the rebound force (one-leg jump) and the speed of power output (1s power in the Wingate test), all measured on each leg separately. The study participants were players in the highest national youth football competition (n = 69, age = 16.0 ± 1.2 years, height = 178.8 ± 6.4 cm, weight = 70.8 ± 8.7 kg). The amount of MM was measured on the lower legs (LL), the height of reflection of the one-foot on the reflecting board and the one-second maximum power in the 30s Wingate test (WAnT). Dependency was sought through correlation analysis (p < 0.05). The differences in the amount of MM between limbs do not increase as a result of football training. A significant relationship was confirmed between the height of the jump and the maximum 1s power in WAnT (r = 0.294, p < 0.05), similarly between the amount of MM and the absolute power for individual limbs in WAnT (r = 0.829 for right LL and 0.798 for left LL, p < 0.01). There is no general relationship (when analysing the results on the two LL) between the reflecting force and the quantity of MM, nor is there a relationship between the quantity of MM and the maximum 1s power at the speed force load. The amount of MM does not affect the reflecting force or the speed of power in WAnT. This is an important factor in the choice of empowerment methods for adolescent footballers.