Physiological and Psychological Predictors of Functional Performance Related to Injury Risk in Female Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study

TL;DR

This study found that physical fitness and self-efficacy are linked to better functional performance in female athletes, which may help reduce injury risk.

Contribution

The study identifies specific physiological and psychological predictors of injury risk in female athletes using the Lower Extremity Functional Test.

Findings

Higher aerobic fitness, single-leg hop distance, and self-efficacy are associated with better functional performance on the LEFT.

SLH, VO2peak, and self-efficacy are key predictors of LEFT performance and could guide injury prevention strategies.

LEFT completion times correlate with lower aerobic capacity, power, and jump distance.

Abstract

What are the main findings?
This study investigated the combined physiological and psychological predictors of lower-extremity injury risk in female athletes.Single-Leg Hop distance (SLH), aerobic capacity (VO2peak), and self-efficacy emerged as significant predictors of functional performance on the Lower Extremity Functional Test (LEFT).

This study investigated the combined physiological and psychological predictors of lower-extremity injury risk in female athletes.

Single-Leg Hop distance (SLH), aerobic capacity (VO2peak), and self-efficacy emerged as significant predictors of functional performance on the Lower Extremity Functional Test (LEFT).

What are the implications of the main findings?
Higher aerobic fitness, SLH, and self-efficacy were associated with better LEFT performance, reflecting superior functional performance on a test commonly used as a proxy for lower-extremity injury risk.The findings support integrating assessments of SLH, VO2peak, and self-efficacy as efficient screening tools for targeted injury prevention strategies.

Higher aerobic fitness, SLH, and self-efficacy were associated with better LEFT performance, reflecting superior functional performance on a test commonly used as a proxy for lower-extremity injury risk.

The findings support integrating assessments of SLH, VO2peak, and self-efficacy as efficient screening tools for targeted injury prevention strategies.

Background and Objectives: Lower-extremity injuries are common among female athletes; however, their multifactorial predictors remain insufficiently understood. Given the interplay between physiological and psychological readiness in athletic performance, identifying the factors that influence lower limb performance is crucial for effective injury prevention. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive effects of physiological (VO2peak, anaerobic power, agility, and isokinetic strength) and psychological (resilience and self-efficacy) variables on functional performance related to risk of injury. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 60 athletes with a mean age of 24.5 ± 6.90 years and mean body mass index of 23.12 ± 3.6 kg/m2 (range: 16–30 kg/m2). The testing protocol included anthropometric measurements, the Lower Extremity Functional Test (LEFT), Wingate anaerobic cycling test, assessments of aerobic capacity, isokinetic muscle strength, and jumping performance (Single-Leg Hop [SLH] and Standing Long Jump [SLJ] tests). Psychological assessments included the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) and a resilience questionnaire. A hierarchical regression analysis was performed. Results: The participants trained 5 ± 2 days per week and had 42 ± 39 months of sports experience. The mean VO2peak was 40.82 ± 5.8 mL·kg−1·min−1, relative anaerobic peak power was 7.53 ± 1.92 W/kg, and fatigue index was 60.63 ± 15.41%. The mean isokinetic knee extension and flexion torque were 184.55 ± 44.60 N·m and 95.08 ± 21.44 N·m, respectively, with a flexion-to-extension ratio of 53.5%. The mean LEFT completion time was 160 ± 22 s. The participants demonstrated moderate resilience (BRS = 21 ± 4) and good self-efficacy (GSES = 33 ± 7.5). Among the psychological variables, GSES exhibited a modest negative correlation with LEFT (r = −0.28, p = 0.02). No significant associations were found between LEFT and psychological resilience. Longer LEFT completion times were associated with lower VO2peak, mean power, and jump distance (p < 0.01). In the final model (R2 = 0.58, p = 0.02), SLH (β = −0.54), VO2peak (β = −10.32), and GSES (β = −0.70) were the strongest independent predictors of LEFT performance. Conclusions: SLH distance, VO2peak, and general self-efficacy are key predictors of functional performance on the LEFT among female athletes. These factors may serve as practical indicators for identifying athletes who could benefit from targeted injury prevention programs.

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