Relationship between balance capacity and jump ability in amateur soccer players of different ages

It is a well known fact that in many sport activities, a technical gesture is more effective and easier to perform in a situation of balance. Short-term balance training (BT) seems to be effective for rapidly improving muscular strength and for reducing imbalances between corresponding limbs. Moreover, reducing imbalances between corresponding limbs may be useful for the prevention of injuries. The aim of the present study was to investigate the link between balance and strength in young soccer players. The experiment was carried out on 133 young male soccer players (age: 18.2±1.9). The Libra Fixed Point (LPF)-Libra Closed Eye (LB) balance tests as well as the Counter Movement Jump (CMJ-CMJMono) tests were significantly (p < 0.05) correlated (r = 0.43 and r = 0.63, respectively; p < 0.01). Significant correlations (p < 0.05) were found between the balance LPF and CMJ (r = -0.36, p < 0.01), between LB and CMJ (R = -0.22, p < 0.05), between LPF and CMJMono (r = -0.48, p < 0.01) and between LB and CMJMono tests (r = -0.42, p < 0.01). These results may have interesting implications for the effects of BT. © Springer-Verlag Italia 2008.