OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to: i) determine the contractile properties of the major lower limb muscles in female soccer players using tensiomyography; ii) investigate inter-limb differences; and iii) compare inter-limb differences between different selections and playing positions. METHODS: A total of 52 female soccer players (A team; U19 and U17) were recruited. The vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), gastrocnemius medialis (GM), lateralis (GL) and tibialis anterior (TA) of both lower limbs were evaluated. RESULTS: When the entire sample was assessed regardless of selection or playing position, there were significant inter-limb differences in all measured muscles except BF. Compared to the non-dominant limb, the dominant limb had higher delay time in VL (p=0.008), while showing lower values in VM (p=0.023), GL (p=0.043) and GM (p=0.006). Contraction time was lower in the RF of the dominant limb (p=0.005) and VM (p=0.047), while showing higher values in VL (p=0.036) and TA (p<0.001) as compared to the non-dominant limb. CONCLUSION: Given the differences found between the limbs in the whole sample studied, it is necessary to examine both limbs to gather a more in-depth understanding of underlying mechanisms related to neuromuscular functions in female soccer players. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic study, Level II.

Faculty of Sport and Physical Education University of Nis Nis Serbia

Faculty of Sport and Physical Education University of Sarajevo Sarajevo Bosnia and Herzegovina

Faculty of Sport Institute of Kinesiology University of Ljubljana Ljubljana Slovenia

Faculty of Sports Studies Masaryk University Brno Czech Republic

Science and Research Centre Koper Institute for Kinesiology Research Koper Slovenia