Relationship between lower limb strength and linear sprint performance in professional female football players

Abstract

Football is a dynamic sport that requires a high level of physical conditioning, with strength, power, and speed playing crucial roles in explosive movements—such as sprints, changes of direction, and jumps, that often determine the outcome of competition. Objective: To determine the relationship between lower limb strength and linear sprint performance in professional female football players. Methods: Twelve professional players from a Chilean first division women's football club were assessed (Age: 23.67 ± 5.37 years; Body Mass: 61.83 ± 5.10 kg; Height: 161.42 ± 5.11 cm). The assessment included countermovement jump (CMJ), isometric midthigh pull (IMTP), and sprint tests over 10 metres (T10) and 30 metres (T30). Spearman’s correlation test was used to determine the degree of association between the variables obtained from CMJ and IMTP and the sprint times. Results: Jump height showed a strong negative correlation with T10 (p = 0.012) and T30 (p = 0.006), while peak power and peak force were moderately correlated with T30 (p = 0.047 and p = 0.018, respectively). Relative peak force in the IMTP test demonstrated strong correlations with both T10 (p = 0.012) and T30 (p = 0.002). These findings suggest that both dynamic and isometric strength are closely linked to sprint performance in elite footballers. Conclusion: A relationship was observed between lower limb strength and linear sprint performance in professional female football players. Specifically, jump height, relative power, and maximal strength in the CMJ were associated with shorter sprint times. Additionally, relative force in the IMTP correlated with better sprint performance. These results highlight the importance of both dynamic and isometric strength in enhancing sprint capacity.