Impact of Lower Limb Muscle Strength and Power Asymmetry on Multidirectional Speed in Female Soccer Players

The aim of the present study was to examine and determine the impact of asymmetry of muscle strength and power between the right and left lower limbs on running speed with changes of direction (multidirectional speed) in female football players. 20 right-footed elite female soccer players from the Ekstraliga participated in the study. Statistical analysis indicates that in running speed with change of direction in the 505 Right and 505 Left tests (group criterion: MVSLJ), players in the group with higher asymmetry (G2) achieved higher change-of-direction running speeds than those in the group with lower asymmetry (G1). A one-way ANOVA of running speeds between groups G1 and G2 (group criterion: PPLP) indicate statistically significant differences in running speed between groups in the Zigzag and 505 Right tests. Players in the group with higher asymmetry (G2) ran faster in the change-of-direction sections of the 505 Right. Based on the results collected during the study on the impact of differences in strength and power between the lower limbs on change-of-direction sprint speed in professional female soccer players, it was observed that players with smaller asymmetry achieved lower change-of-direction running speeds than those with greater asymmetry. Moreover, all observed significant differences in running speed tests between the analyzed groups were significantly correlated with the percentage differences in lower limb power within these groups.