ArticleBMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation2026
The moderating role of age in the effect of hip and knee joint functions on explosive power performance in soccer players.
Article in BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundExplosive power is a key determinant of soccer performance and is closely associated with lower extremity joint function, particularly hip and knee range of motion (ROM) and muscle strength. These factors contribute to essential actions such as jumping, sprinting, and rapid changes of direction; however, their influence may vary across developmental stages due to age-related neuromuscular and physical differences. Despite existing evidence linking strength and flexibility to motor performance, the moderating role of age in these relationships remains unclear in youth soccer players. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of hip and knee joint ROM and muscle strength on motor performance and to evaluate the moderating role of age in these associations.
methodsA total of 59 male soccer players (U15: n = 14, U16: n = 15, U17: n = 15, U19: n = 15) from the youth academies of professional teams participated in the study. ROM values of the hip and knee joints, as well as quadricep and hamstring muscle strength, were measured; subsequently, motor performance assessments were conducted. The data were analyzed using multiple regression models including interaction terms with age, and regions of significance were determined using the Johnson-Neyman technique.
resultsFor the reactive strength index, hip and knee ROM and quadriceps strength were identified as significant predictors; however, these effects were particularly pronounced in soccer players under the age of 17-18 (r
conclusionLower extremity physical characteristics influence motor performance in an age-dependent manner, with stronger effects observed in players under 17-18 years and reduced effects at older ages. These results suggest that training programs for younger age groups may benefit from incorporating range of motion and strength development alongside neuromuscular control exercises, though longitudinal research is needed to confirm causal relationships.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.