(4) NEUROMUSCULAR PERFORMANCE PROFILING OF DIVISION I WOMEN’S SOCCER ATHLETES

Purpose: This study aimed to profile the neuromuscular performance of Division I women’s soccer players prior to off-season training using force plates and maximal strength testing, identifying key performance indicators and exploring their relationships. Methods: Fourteen Division I women’s soccer players (age: 21±2 y) completed two testing sessions of lower body force plate assessments and maximal strength tests, separated by 48 hours. Athletes completed three trials of an akimbo countermovement jump (CMJ), with the highest of the trials used for analysis. Force plate metrics included peak propulsive force, modified reactive strength index (mRSI), jump height, and takeoff velocity. Maximal strength was assessed using a 1RM back squat, following NSCA protocols. Descriptive statistics were calculated to profile team performance, and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to explore relationships between force plate metrics and maximal strength, alpha was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: The team demonstrated an average CMJ height of 0.28±0.03 m, mRSI of 0.36±0.07, peak propulsive force of 1406±188 N, and takeoff velocity of 2.33±0.13 m/s. The average 1RM back squat was 81.2±13.0 kg (relative strength = 1.28±0.14 kg·kg^-¹). Although not statistically significant, a moderate correlation was observed between peak propulsive force and 1RM squat (r = 0.505, p < 0.065). 1RM back squat was not shown to be significantly correlated with mRSI (r = -0.109, p = 0.710), jump height (r = 0.070, p = 0.813), or takeoff velocity (r = 0.071, p = 0.809). Conclusions: The data from these athletes highlight key neuromuscular characteristics relevant to soccer performance, including lower-body force production, explosive power, and maximal strength. These athletes demonstrated a relative strength similar to data found in other studies but may benefit from more emphasis on power and speed training to increase CMJ height and other force plate metrics. The findings of this study also confirm that lower body strength may not be strongly associated with lower body power, which is a more important attribute for soccer athletes. Practical Applications: Regular force plate and strength testing can monitor progress, guide return-to-play decisions, and ensure that athletes maintain optimal strength and power throughout the yearly training cycle. Integrating force plate data with traditional strength testing offers a holistic approach to performance monitoring, enhancing both individual and team performance. Due to the lack of relationship seen between 1RM back squat and power metrics, strength and conditioning professionals may benefit from programming more explosive training protocols when working with female soccer players to better translate performance onto the playing field. Acknowledgements: None