ABSTRACT
It is widely accepted that speed and accuracy in kicking depend upon explosive strength of lower extremities and it is also reported that kicking performance is not affected by different kinds of strength training. Trolle et al. (1993) stated that high resistance strength training did not improve speed in kicking performance. In soccer, strength training can improve kicking performance due to increase in strength (DeProft et al., 1988). Cabri et al. (1988) reported that isokinetic strength training could be effective in increasing the kicking performance of soccer players. Taina et al. (1993) have reported that with maximal strength training of lower limbs of soccer players, speed in kicking performance increased. There are a number of research findings on strength training of soccer players employing isotonic methods and its influence on kicking performance but very few research reports about the effect of isokinetic training on maximum and explosive strength of soccer players. Hence the purpose of the study was to ascertain the effect of six weeks of isokinetic strength training combined with skill training on football kicking performance.
