Sex Differences in Knee Strength and Speed in Male and Female Football Players

NCT07810387 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: HEARCSante
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 37
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Force-velocity (F-V) profiling is increasingly used to describe the mechanical capacities of the knee extensors and knee flexors in football, but almost all available reference data come from male players. It is not established whether male and female players differ in the parameters of the isokinetic force-velocity relationship, or whether any such differences persist once differences in body size are accounted for. This single-centre, cross-sectional observational study compared the isokinetic force-velocity profiles of the knee extensors and knee flexors between male and female competitive football players. Eligible participants were competitive players aged 18 to 35 years, training at least three times per week, free of current lower limb pain or injury and with no history of knee or hip surgery. During a single testing session, participants performed bilateral concentric isokinetic knee extension and flexion at five angular velocities (30, 60, 180, 240 and 300 degrees per second) on an isokinetic dynamometer, after a standardised warm-up, individual gravity correction and a familiarisation session. For each participant, limb and muscle group, peak torque was regressed against angular velocity to fit an individual linear torque-angular velocity relationship. The following parameters were derived: theoretical maximal torque (F0), theoretical maximal angular velocity (V0), the slope of the relationship, maximal theoretical power (Pmax), and torque and power at the extremes of the tested velocity range. The participant, defined as the mean of both limbs, was the unit of analysis. Male and female players were compared in absolute terms and after adjustment for body size, using ratio scaling to body mass, log-log allometric models and analysis of covariance with body mass and age as covariates. Secondary comparisons included the conventional hamstring-to-quadriceps ratio, inter-limb asymmetry and the orientation of the profile (F0/V0 ratio). The purpose of the study is to determine which sex differences in isokinetic force-velocity parameters are explained by body size and which persist after adjustment, in order to establish whether reference values obtained in male players can legitimately be applied to female players.

Conditions

Isokinetic Test; Force-velocity Profile; Soccer Performance; Female Athletes

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Isokinetic force-velocity profile of the knee extensors and knee flexors

  Force-velocity profile of the knee extensors and knee flexors derived from isokinetic dynamometry, compared between male and female competitive football players. \[ e.g. theoretical maximal force F0, theoretical maximal velocity V0, and the slope of the force-velocity relationship, with units.\]

  Day 1(single isokinetic testing session)

Study Arms (2)

Male football players

Diagnostic Test: Isokinetic test

Female football players

Diagnostic Test: Isokinetic test

Interventions

Isokinetic test DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

The expected results should improve the objective characterisation of residual deficits, inform the selection and prioritisation of the tests used in return-to-sport assessments, and contribute to evidence-based rehabilitation practice. The project thereby contributes to improving quality of care and to generating knowledge that is useful to the health professionals managing this population. No procedure is added to routine care, and the care pathway is not modified.

Female football players; Male football players

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

male and female football players, Players were recruited from regional football clubs competing at national level

You may qualify if:

• male or female football players aged 18-35 years;
• participation in competitive football for at least three consecutive years;
• a minimum of three weekly training sessions;
• no current pain or injury of the lower limbs;
• no history of knee or hip surgery;
• ability to perform maximal voluntary contractions during isokinetic testing;
• an adequate physical activity level (Tegner ≥ 7; Marx ≥ 12).

You may not qualify if:

• any medical condition limiting the test or any injury/surgery of the lower limb from the last 2 years

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Haute Ecole ARC Sante: lead

Study Sites (1)

Orthosport Center

Domont, 95330, France

Location

Related Publications (5)

• Alcazar J, Csapo R, Ara I, Alegre LM. On the Shape of the Force-Velocity Relationship in Skeletal Muscles: The Linear, the Hyperbolic, and the Double-Hyperbolic. Front Physiol. 2019 Jun 19;10:769. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00769. eCollection 2019.

  PMID: 31275173 RESULT

• Lopez-Valenciano A, Raya-Gonzalez J, Garcia-Gomez JA, Aparicio-Sarmiento A, Sainz de Baranda P, De Ste Croix M, Ayala F. Injury Profile in Women's Football: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Med. 2021 Mar;51(3):423-442. doi: 10.1007/s40279-020-01401-w. Epub 2021 Jan 12.

  PMID: 33433863 RESULT

• Morin JB, Samozino P. Interpreting Power-Force-Velocity Profiles for Individualized and Specific Training. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2016 Mar;11(2):267-72. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2015-0638. Epub 2015 Dec 17.

  PMID: 26694658 RESULT

• Costello JT, Bieuzen F, Bleakley CM. Where are all the female participants in Sports and Exercise Medicine research? Eur J Sport Sci. 2014;14(8):847-51. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2014.911354. Epub 2014 Apr 25.

  PMID: 24766579 RESULT

• Emmonds S, Heyward O, Jones B. The Challenge of Applying and Undertaking Research in Female Sport. Sports Med Open. 2019 Dec 12;5(1):51. doi: 10.1186/s40798-019-0224-x.

  PMID: 31832880 RESULT

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Target Duration: 1 Day
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Forelli Florian

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 28, 2026
• First Posted: September 9, 2026
• Study Start: June 30, 2025
• Primary Completion: August 31, 2025
• Study Completion: August 31, 2025
• Last Updated: September 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

FR (1)