The Effects of Increasing Cognitive Load on Support Limb Kicking Mechanics in Male Futsal Players

Abstract

Our objective was to examine the effects of cognitive load on support limb mechanics during a futsal kicking task. Twenty-one male futsal players completed kicks of a stationary ball without a secondary task (baseline), as well as kicks where cognitive load was increased by including a secondary cognitive task (dual-task) and requiring tracking of ball movement before the kick (pass). The athletes demonstrated less hip and knee flexion, higher loading rates, greater frontal and sagittal plane knee loading, and greater knee abduction for the dual-task condition, vs. baseline. They also demonstrated less knee flexion, higher loading rates, greater sagittal plane knee loading, and greater knee abduction for the pass condition, vs. baseline. It appears that cognitive load influences kicking mechanics.

Keywords:

• attention
• biomechanics
• dual-task
• motor control

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the athletes who volunteered to participate in this study. This study was supported by the Gayle Berg Research Fund from Sargent College, Boston University. Other than financial support, the Gayle Berg Research Fund had no role in the design or execution of the study or the decision to publish this manuscript.

Disclosure Statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This project was not supported by grant funding.