Energy redistribution analysis of dynamic mechanisms of multi-body, multi-joint kinetic chain movement during soccer instep kicks
Introduction
Many kinds of swinging movements in sports, such as soccer instep kicking, baseball pitching, golf swing and other swing movements usually aim to produce the highest speed of the distal endpoint (kicking foot, throwing hand and ball, and club head) of the linked segment system. The underlying mechanisms of how skilled players generate the dynamic limb motion and enhance the distal endpoint speed successfully are of interest for researchers, coaches and athletes. In these dynamic swinging movements, the proximal to distal sequential pattern (P–D sequence) between participating segments or joints often occurs. This sequential motion is considered advantageous when increasing the distal endpoint speed (Kreighbaum & Barthels, 1999).
In the case of the kicking leg motion during an instep kick, forward rotation of the proximal thigh (primarily relating to the hip joint flexion) precedes forward rotation of the distal shank (primarily relating to the knee joint extension), and subsequently the shank rotates forward while the forward rotation of the thigh slows down before impact with the ball (Lees & Noran, 1998). It was found that such a kinematic pattern in the kicking thigh and shank motions is a result not only of the joint moment acting at the proximal end of the segment (the muscular moment) but also of the motion-dependent interactive moment due to adjacent segmental rotation (Putnam, 1991, Putnam, 1993). Previous studies showed that motion-dependent moment could contribute to the production of a P–D sequential motion pattern between the kicking thigh and shank (Apriantono et al., 2006, Dörge et al., 2002, Dörge et al., 1999). Additionally, our previous study that examined kicking movement using the multi-joint kinetic chain model found that the rapid kicking knee extension just before ball impact is a result of complex dynamic factors due to multi-joint rotations, including the kicking leg and non-kicking leg (supporting leg) joints as well as the external ground reaction force or moment acting on the kicking body (Naito, Fukui, & Maruyama, 2010). Analysis of calculated motion-dependent moments is helpful to investigate how much muscular and non-muscular moment (defined as an interactive moment due to joint rotations, external forces and moments acting on the kicker’s body) contributes to dynamic limb motion. However, the analysis of motion-dependent moments contribution to segmental or joint motion does not enable us to understand the kicking mechanisms completely, because that analysis has methodological limitations. Despite the concept that the P–D sequential motion in kicking could be represented as an exchange of mechanical energy from the thigh to the shank (Lees & Noran, 1998), kinetic modeling developed in the previous studies has not confirmed it by calculation of energy transferring among the segments. Consequently, the question of whether the P–D sequential kicking motion would be actually more efficient than when it is not exhibited has not been answered in full from the kinetic analysis used in the previous studies.
Joint motions normally result from moments generated by muscles (muscular moment) across that joint. Because of dynamic coupling in a multi-joint limb system (for example, walking and two legged pedaling), muscular moment acting at a given joint indirectly contributed to other joint rotation and mechanical energy of a segment to which it is not attached, through intersegmental forces transferring energy among segments (Fregly and Zajac, 1996, Zajac, 2002, Zajac et al., 2002). Recent studies focused on such energy transfer mechanisms during complex human movements, and have found that the mechanical energy of any segment is transferred to other segments via intersegmental joint forces acting to accelerate and decelerate those segments (Zajac, 2002, Zajac et al., 2002). However, to our knowledge, no systematic attempt to investigate energy transfer mechanisms in kicking has been made in the literature. A state-space power analysis as presented by Fregly and Zajac (1996), which is a method to analyze the relationships between causal work (power) due to the muscular moment and mechanical energy (power) applied to the segment, is useful to identify important joint muscular moment with respect to energy source. In addition, such an analysis enables us to know how non-muscular moment transfers mechanical energy from one segment to another.
It is believed that P–D sequential motion between proximal and distal segments in the kicking leg represents an exchange of mechanical energy from the thigh to the shank (Lees & Noran, 1998). Because the concept of mechanical energy transfer from proximal to distal segments has not actually been confirmed, a model to explain energy transfer mechanisms accomplished in such a multi-joint system is required. In particular, the state-space power analysis is useful in providing an insight into the energy transfer mechanisms in kicking movement. The purpose of this study is two fold. The first is to develop a model of multi-joint kinetic chain movement to decompose the mechanical energy of the segments to causal components resulting from the muscular and non-muscular interactive moments. The second is to examine underlying mechanisms to produce the kicking leg kinetic energy with respect to energy redistribution mechanisms during instep kicking. In particular, we focus on whether P–D sequential motion actually results in transfer of mechanical energy between the proximal and distal segments.
Section snippets
Experiment
Eleven collegiate soccer players participated in the experiment. Their mean ± SD for age, height and body masses were 21.5 ± 1.9 years, 1.750 ± 0.049 m and 65.7 ± 7.5 kg, respectively. They had all played soccer for at least 8 years. The experiment was conducted in an indoor laboratory. The experimental procedure was explained to the subjects before the trials, and informed consent was obtained from each subject. The experimental procedure was approved by the Ethical Committee of the Graduate School of
Kinetic energy patterns among segments
Kinetic energy patterns of seven segments calculated from the free-body power equation are presented in Fig. 1. (It should be noted that kinetic energy corresponds to total kinetic energy obtained from the sum of all the causal terms in equation 13 and the initial value of the kinetic energy at the time of TO.) The data were obtained from the trial in which a subject kicked a ball with a velocity of 26.3 m/s. The events in the graphs indicate the temporal timing of the instant of the take off of
Energy redistribution mechanisms among multiple segments
Previous analyses, which decompose the intersegmental forces into components due to angular acceleration, velocity and linear acceleration of the proximal and distal segments, have primarily examined which interactive moment induces a focused joint motion (Apriantono et al., 2006, Dörge et al., 1999, Dörge et al., 2002, Nunome et al., 2006, Sørensen et al., 1996). These analyses, which are represented as an induced-acceleration approach, primarily investigate kicking mechanisms from a kinetic
Conclusion
The power redistribution mechanisms among multiple segments during instep kicking were investigated using the state-space power analysis. During phase 1 (initial phase of the kicking movement), the kinetic energy of the decelerated segments (the trunk and supporting leg segments) was delivered to accelerate segments (the kicking leg segments), induced by the external joint force acting on the kicker’s body. During phase 2 (forward rotation phase of the kicking shank), the kinetic energy of the
References (25)
- et al.
Timing accuracy in human throwing
Journal of Theoretical Biology
(1999) - et al.
A state-space analysis of mechanical energy generation, absorption and transfer during pedaling
Journal of Biomechanics
(1996) - et al.
Effects of changes in segmental values and timing of both torque and torque reversal in simulated throws
Journal of Biomechanics
(1992) An explicit expression for the moment in multibody systems
Journal of Biomechanics
(1992)- et al.
Numerical study of ball behavior in side-foot soccer kick based on impact dynamic theory
Journal of Biomechanics
(2009) Sequential motions of body segments in striking and throwing skills: Descriptions and explanations
Journal of Biomechanics
(1993)Understanding muscle coordination of the human leg with dynamical simulations
Journal of Biomechanics
(2002)- et al.
Biomechanics and muscle coordination of human walking. Part I: Introduction to concepts, power transfer, dynamics and simulations
Gait and Posture
(2002) - et al.
Study on kicking in soccer
Japan Journal of Physical Education, Health and Sport Sciences
(1968) - et al.
The effect of muscle fatigue on instep kicking kinetics and kinematics in association football
Journal of Sports Sciences
(2006)
The biomechanics of an overarm throwing task: A simulation model examination of optimal timing of muscle activations
Journal of Theoretical Biology
Biomechanical differences in soccer kicking with the preferred and non-preferred leg
Journal of Sports Sciences
Cited by (21)
Active pelvic tilt is reduced in athletes with groin injury; a case-controlled study
2019, Physical Therapy in SportCitation Excerpt :We propose restoring APT should be considered part of rehabilitation regimes for injured athletes as it allows mechanical energy transfer during sports actions.( Naito, Fukui, & Maruyama, 2012). Physical therapists should consider core mobility apart from core stability strategies.
The proximal-to-distal sequence in upper-limb motions on multiple levels and time scales
2017, Human Movement ScienceProgressive resistance, whole body long-axis rotational training improves kicking motion motor performance
2014, Physical Therapy in SportCitation Excerpt :Increased kinetic energy results from well-coordinated intra-segmental energy transfer between the proximal trunk and thigh and the accelerating shank and foot. Improved coordination between the trunk, proximal thigh, and distal shank and foot at the kicking lower extremity enables a more efficient intra-segmental kinetic energy exchange (Naito, Fukui, & Maruyama, 2012). Since it requires highly integrated trunk-lower extremity function, kicking movement performance may be enhanced following progressive resistance, whole body long-axis rotational training.
The Role of Upper Body Motions in Stationary Ball-Kicking Motion: A Systematic Review
2024, Journal of Science in Sport and ExerciseBiomechanical analysis of distance adjustment in volleyball overhead pass
2022, Sports BiomechanicsInduced power analysis of sequential body motion and elbow valgus load during baseball pitching
2022, Sports Biomechanics