Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to compare selected aspects of the soccer instep kick as performed by a skilled and an unskilled performer. Evidences of ballistic movement and selected muscle activity were studied. Two subjects, a 20-year-old male and a 26-year-old female, were tested. During each trial, the subjects were filmed and electromyograms were obtained from selected muscles. Processed films were analyzed on a Vanguard Motion Analyzer. The muscle activity was analyzed by counting the number of motor unit potential spikes on the electromyograms. The skilled subject showed less muscle activity in performing the kick. The unskilled subject used sustained contractions throughout the complete kicking movement. The skilled subject did not. Conclusions from the data were:1.) A skilled performer shows less muscle activity than an unskilled performer.2.) A skilled performer uses a ballistic movement in performing a task, while an unskilled performer uses a sustained movement.