The relationship between attentional control and injury-related biomechanics in young female volleyball players

BackgroundAdolescent athletes, particularly in team sports, exhibit high risk of non-contact injuries due to the open environment and risk-associated movements. Both biomechanical risk factors and suboptimal neurocognitive function have been linked to such injuries. The association particularly betw...

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Main Authors: Ivana Hanzlíková, Karolína Válová, Michal Lehnert, Martin Dvořáček, Elisa Doleželová, Adam Grinberg
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Physiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1622026/full
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author Ivana Hanzlíková
Karolína Válová
Michal Lehnert
Martin Dvořáček
Elisa Doleželová
Adam Grinberg
author_facet Ivana Hanzlíková
Karolína Válová
Michal Lehnert
Martin Dvořáček
Elisa Doleželová
Adam Grinberg
author_sort Ivana Hanzlíková
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundAdolescent athletes, particularly in team sports, exhibit high risk of non-contact injuries due to the open environment and risk-associated movements. Both biomechanical risk factors and suboptimal neurocognitive function have been linked to such injuries. The association particularly between attentional control and injury-related biomechanics remains unexplored in young athletes.MethodsFifty female volleyball players aged 7–15 years participated. Attentional control was assessed using the Eriksen Flanker test (congruent, incongruent reaction times (RT) and interference effect). Biomechanical measures included the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS), single-leg dynamic balance (center of pressure [CoP] movement), leg stiffness during submaximal hopping, and reactive strength index (RSI) during drop jumps. Spearman’s rank correlation and partial Spearman’s rank correlation (controlling for age) were used.ResultsWhen controlling for age, a moderate positive correlation was observed between the Flanker interference effect and CoP movement in the antero-posterior direction of the non-dominant leg (rs = 0.40, r2 = 0.16). When age was not accounted for, additional moderate negative correlations were observed between congruent and incongruent reaction times and leg stiffness, as well as with RSI.ConclusionWhile response inhibition was positively associated with dynamic balance, other biomechanical measures, seemed to follow a more age-dependent developmental trajectory. Among injury-related biomechanical risks, only dynamic balance can thus be considered more related to neurocognitive function. Sport practitioners are advised to consider coupling dynamic stability exercises with neurocognitive evaluations for more holistic prevention of injuries in young athletes.
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spelling doaj-art-867b0f39df8347f0a2d404598e4549112025-08-20T03:29:35ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Physiology1664-042X2025-07-011610.3389/fphys.2025.16220261622026The relationship between attentional control and injury-related biomechanics in young female volleyball playersIvana Hanzlíková0Karolína Válová1Michal Lehnert2Martin Dvořáček3Elisa Doleželová4Adam Grinberg5Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, CzechiaDepartment of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, CzechiaDepartment of Sport, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, CzechiaDepartment of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, CzechiaDepartment of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, CzechiaDepartment of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Umeå University, Umeå, SwedenBackgroundAdolescent athletes, particularly in team sports, exhibit high risk of non-contact injuries due to the open environment and risk-associated movements. Both biomechanical risk factors and suboptimal neurocognitive function have been linked to such injuries. The association particularly between attentional control and injury-related biomechanics remains unexplored in young athletes.MethodsFifty female volleyball players aged 7–15 years participated. Attentional control was assessed using the Eriksen Flanker test (congruent, incongruent reaction times (RT) and interference effect). Biomechanical measures included the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS), single-leg dynamic balance (center of pressure [CoP] movement), leg stiffness during submaximal hopping, and reactive strength index (RSI) during drop jumps. Spearman’s rank correlation and partial Spearman’s rank correlation (controlling for age) were used.ResultsWhen controlling for age, a moderate positive correlation was observed between the Flanker interference effect and CoP movement in the antero-posterior direction of the non-dominant leg (rs = 0.40, r2 = 0.16). When age was not accounted for, additional moderate negative correlations were observed between congruent and incongruent reaction times and leg stiffness, as well as with RSI.ConclusionWhile response inhibition was positively associated with dynamic balance, other biomechanical measures, seemed to follow a more age-dependent developmental trajectory. Among injury-related biomechanical risks, only dynamic balance can thus be considered more related to neurocognitive function. Sport practitioners are advised to consider coupling dynamic stability exercises with neurocognitive evaluations for more holistic prevention of injuries in young athletes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1622026/fullFlanker testresponse inhibitionreaction timeLESSdynamic balancestiffness
spellingShingle Ivana Hanzlíková
Karolína Válová
Michal Lehnert
Martin Dvořáček
Elisa Doleželová
Adam Grinberg
The relationship between attentional control and injury-related biomechanics in young female volleyball players
Frontiers in Physiology
Flanker test
response inhibition
reaction time
LESS
dynamic balance
stiffness
title The relationship between attentional control and injury-related biomechanics in young female volleyball players
title_full The relationship between attentional control and injury-related biomechanics in young female volleyball players
title_fullStr The relationship between attentional control and injury-related biomechanics in young female volleyball players
title_full_unstemmed The relationship between attentional control and injury-related biomechanics in young female volleyball players
title_short The relationship between attentional control and injury-related biomechanics in young female volleyball players
title_sort relationship between attentional control and injury related biomechanics in young female volleyball players
topic Flanker test
response inhibition
reaction time
LESS
dynamic balance
stiffness
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1622026/full
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