Kicking - Directed Task

Question 1

Explain briefly how moment of inertia and sequencing of the lower limb segments is relevant to optimising a soccer kick when the goal is maximal distance.

Answer 1

Decreased moment of inertia of the leg is achieved by a flexed knee.

This decreased moment of inertia leads to increased angular velocity of the swing leg.

Increased angular velocity and proximal-distal sequencing of the lower limbs will lead to increased foot impact velocity and therefore kicking distance (according to deterministic model).

Possible reference to the equation (V = rω)