Comparison of LESS-RT Scores, Lower-Extremity Strength Ratios and Dynamic Balance in Male Collegiate Soccer Players

Authors

• Erin M. Crisley, Hofstra UniversityFollow
• Amarie Lafreniere, Hofstra University
• Afra Amer, Hofstra University
• Paige Kyle, Hofstra University
• Jada Gomez, Hofstra University
• David Wang, Hofstra University
• Jeannette Bronson, Hofstra University
• Aaron Hong, Hofstra University
• Dylan Berris, Hofstra University
• Maggie Peterson, Hofstra University
• Justin Bentivegna, Hofstra University
• Adam Gonzalez, Hofstra University
• Douglas Melgar, Hofstra University
• Katie Sell, Hofstra UniversityFollow

Abstract

Soccer involves repeated landings and rapid changes of direction that require lower-extremity strength and dynamic balance. The Landing Error Scoring System–Real Time (LESS-RT) protocol provides a time-efficient assessment of jump-landing mechanics compared to the standard LESS test, but its ability to distinguish strength and balance differences among male collegiate soccer players remains unclear. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare bilateral hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratios (H:Q), hip abduction to adduction strength ratios (ABD:ADD), lower-quarter Y-Balance Test (LQYBT) composite scores, and LESS-RT scores in male Division I soccer players (MSOC). METHODS: Twenty-four MSOC players (20.3 ± 1.8 y, 185.9 ± 7.6 cm, 79.5 ± 7.3 kg) voluntarily completed the LESS-RT along with bilateral H:Q, ABD:ADD strength testing, and the LQYBT during pre-season testing. All testing followed standardized procedures, including the use of dynamometers to measure H, Q, ABD, and ADD isometric strength. Participants were classified into lower (<5; n = 13) and elevated (>5; n = 11) LESS-RT score groups (L-LESS-RT and E-LESS-RT, respectively). Bilateral H:Q and ABD:ADD strength ratios and LQYBT composite scores were compared between groups using independent-samples t-tests through SPSS version 30 (IBM Corp) with significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed for ABD:ADD ratios or LQYBT scores for the right or left limb between L-LESS-RT and E-LESS-RT groups (p > 0.05). The H:Q ratio for the right limb was not significantly different to the same measure in the L-LESS-RT group but did present a moderate to high effect size [t(22) = 1.79, p = 0.08744, d = 0.73]. Profile comparisons showed higher ABD:ADD ratios and lower LQYBT composite scores in the E-LESS-RT group. CONCLUSION: LESS-RT score categories did not distinguish statistically significant differences in lower-extremity limb strength ratios or dynamic balance among MSOC players in this sample. Further research with larger samples is recommended to explore the relationship between LESS-RT performance and markers of lower-extremity strength and stability in MSOC players.

Recommended Citation

Crisley, Erin M.; Lafreniere, Amarie; Amer, Afra; Kyle, Paige; Gomez, Jada; Wang, David; Bronson, Jeannette; Hong, Aaron; Berris, Dylan; Peterson, Maggie; Bentivegna, Justin; Gonzalez, Adam; Melgar, Douglas; and Sell, Katie (2026) "Comparison of LESS-RT Scores, Lower-Extremity Strength Ratios and Dynamic Balance in Male Collegiate Soccer Players," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 15: Iss. 9, Article 17.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol15/iss9/17