Relationship Between Lower Extremity Alignment, Adductor Longus Muscle Architecture and Anaerobic Power Parameters in Adolescent Football Players

Purpose To examine the relationship between the frontal plane alignment of the lower extremity, adductor longus muscle architecture (cross-sectional area and thickness), and anaerobic power capacity. Methods Football players aged 14-16 joined the study and were evaluated for lower extremity alignment in the frontal plane radiographs. We examined adductor longus muscle thickness and cross-sectional area on both sides with ultrasound. To evaluate anaerobic power capacity, we did a 30-second Wingate test. Correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were performed. Results Twenty-seven football players were enrolled in the study. The anatomical axis angle of the right side was 2.85+1.75, and left side was 2.67+1.62. A positive and strong correlation was found between both side muscle cross-sectional area and maximum and average power (right: r=0.829, p<0.001; r=0.851, p<0.001, left: r=0.742, p<0.001; r=0.789, p<0.001, respectively), and the right and left muscle thickness and the maximum and average power (right: r=0.678, p<0.001; r=0.717, p<0.001, left: r=0.714, p<0.001; r=0.741, p<0.001, respectively). The multiple regression analysis found that average power could be assessed with right and left axis angles, right muscle cross-sectional area, age, body mass index, and career duration. The analysis showed that these variables accounted for 80.3% of the variability in the average power (F(6,20)=13.558, p<0.001). Same independent variables could explain 77.6% of the variability in the maximum power (F(6,20)=11.577, p<0.001). Conclusions Muscle thickness and cross-sectional area strongly correlate with average and maximum power. The cross-sectional area and lower extremity alignment angle in the dominant leg could be used to estimate anaerobic power outputs.