Biomechanical comparison of hip and ankle kinematics among national and university-level field hockey players: An observational study

Abstract

Abstract Background: The penalty corner stands out as a crucial scoring method in field hockey, with the Drag flick (DF) being the most frequently employed shot during this situation. The DF is more effective than the hit or push techniques. Purpose: This study aimed to explore variations in hip and ankle kinematics during different stages of the DF among field hockey players at national and university levels. Materials and Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional design involving participation from professional male drag flickers, as well as national and university-level (UL) players, with reported mean ± SD values for height (172 ± 1.41 cm), weight (72.5 ± 2.12 kg), and BMI (24.4 ± 0.35 kg/m2). Following a specific warm-up, each player underwent the random recording of 10 trials on the hockey ground. XSENS inertial measuring unit was employed to acquire and analyze kinematics data. Thirty frames were extracted, spanning the DF technique’s initial phase to the final phase for subsequent analysis. Results: The findings revealed distinct variations in joint angle (XZY) range of motion (ROM) during different phases of the DF among national and UL players. Notably, significant (P < 0.05) and diverse changes were identified in various parameters of lower limb kinematics when comparing DF shots. Conclusion: The study’s conclusion emphasizes that comprehending the ROM variations in hockey players is crucial for sports scientists and coaches. NL and UL players showed different movement patterns in the same DF technique but at different extents. This knowledge enables them to understand the biomechanical responses necessary to attain optimal movement, mainly when aiming for the goal. It allows for a focused analysis of individual player movement patterns.