International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences Vol. 14(3), pp. 796 - 807
DOI: 10.13189/saj.2026.140324
Reprint (PDF) (1110Kb)

Strength, Power, and Agility in Young Adults Who Practice and Do Not Practice Recreational Soccer

Carmen Chapoñan-Muñoz ^1,*, Paloma De la Cruz Bermudo ¹, Ross Valentin-Medina ¹, Raul Ayuque-Jumpa ¹, Jasmith Gamarra-Abad ¹, Adela Mora-Marin ², Sergio Bravo-Cucci ^3
1 Physical Therapy Program, School of Health Sciences, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Peru
² School of Physical Therapy, Universidad Latina de Costa Rica, Costa Rica
³ Movement Science Laboratory, Physical Activity and Sports Science Program, School of Health Sciences, Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Peru

ABSTRACT

This comparative cross-sectional observational study included 60 young adults aged 18 to 24 from Metropolitan Lima, divided into two groups: those who engaged in recreational soccer practice (RSP) at least once a week in the last three consecutive months and those who had not practiced it for at least six months. Variables measured included handgrip strength using a dynamometer, lower-limb power using a contact platform, agility via a change-of-direction test, and physical activity using the IPAQ questionnaire. The results showed that RSP is significantly associated with higher strength levels in the dominant hand (adjusted β = 3.97, p = 0.016) and non-dominant hand (adjusted β= 3.71, p = 0.026), as well as with higher weight-relative power (adjusted β = 1.16, p = 0.001). However, no significant differences were found in agility between the two groups (adjusted β = 0.14, p = 0.074). In addition, participants who engaged in RSP showed higher levels of physical activity, reflected in their activity level, weekly minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and weekly METs, all with statistically significant differences. In conclusion, young adults who practice recreational soccer exhibit greater strength and power compared to non-practitioners, although no differences in agility were observed.

KEYWORDS
Recreational Soccer, Strength, Power, Agility, Health Promotion, Physical Activity

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Carmen Chapoñan-Muñoz , Paloma De la Cruz Bermudo , Ross Valentin-Medina , Raul Ayuque-Jumpa , Jasmith Gamarra-Abad , Adela Mora-Marin , Sergio Bravo-Cucci , "Strength, Power, and Agility in Young Adults Who Practice and Do Not Practice Recreational Soccer," International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, Vol. 14, No. 3, pp. 796 - 807, 2026. DOI: 10.13189/saj.2026.140324.

(b). APA Format:
Carmen Chapoñan-Muñoz , Paloma De la Cruz Bermudo , Ross Valentin-Medina , Raul Ayuque-Jumpa , Jasmith Gamarra-Abad , Adela Mora-Marin , Sergio Bravo-Cucci (2026). Strength, Power, and Agility in Young Adults Who Practice and Do Not Practice Recreational Soccer. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 14(3), 796 - 807. DOI: 10.13189/saj.2026.140324.