# Lower-Limb Flexibility Profile in 142 Competitive Female Football Players: A Cross-Sectional Study
## 4 Discussion  
The aim of the present study was to determine the normative values and create benchmarks for the lower limbs flexibility profile by assessing ROM in female football players. Differences have been observed between the three competitive levels in the ankle dorsiflexion with the knee flexed and extended, hip internal rotation, adduction with the hip flexed, and hip extension with the knee relaxed. Generally, ROM has been shown to increase with competitive level. Players competing in the National League have lower ROM (ankle dorsiflexion with the knee flexed and extended, hip internal rotation, adduction with the hip flexed, and hip extension with the knee relaxed) than the Regional League. The cause is longer football practice time (Regional League 5.7 \(\pm\) 2.9 y vs. National League 8.7 \(\pm\) 3.2 y), duration of training (Regional League 79.8 \(\pm\) 31.7 min vs. National League 98.1 \(\pm\) 15.8 min), and number of training sessions per week (Regional League 3.1 \(\pm\) 0.5 training vs. National League 4.3 \(\pm\) 0.9 training) [29, 30]. In addition, the load of flexibility training does not increase with higher competition levels and compensates for negative adaptations to football or the increase in age [31, 32]. The effects of ageing on flexibility are already apparent at a relatively early age [33]. Figure 11: Normative data on ankle dorsiflexion with the knee extended ROM for 142 female football players with T-score bands and accompanying qualitative descriptions and traffic light system. Figure 10: Normative data on ankle dorsiflexion with the knee flexed ROM for 142 female football players with T-score bands and accompanying qualitative descriptions and traffic light system. The results show normal (or average) ROM values at 30-39\({}^{\circ}\) for ankle dorsiflexion with the knee extended; 37-43\({}^{\circ}\) for ankle dorsiflexion with the knee flexed; 46-54\({}^{\circ}\) for hip internal rotation with the knee flexed; 54-61\({}^{\circ}\) for hip external rotation with the knee flexed; 31-37\({}^{\circ}\) for hip abduction with the hip/knee flexed; 41-45\({}^{\circ}\) for hip abduction with the neutral hip/knee; 135-141\({}^{\circ}\) for hip flexion with the knee flexed; 73-82\({}^{\circ}\) for hip flexion with the knee extended; 15-21\({}^{\circ}\) for hip extension with the knee relaxed; and 121-132\({}^{\circ}\) for knee flexion) in the 142 female football players. Other cross-sectional studies report the average values of one or nine lower limb tests in female football players, such as the sit and reach test in 55 female senior football players of First league [34], passive hip flexion and abduction in supine position and passive hip extension, internal and external rotation in prone position and weighted ankle dorsiflexion in 28 adolescent female football players aged 12-19 years from the two highest divisions [35], internal and external rotation ROM in 58 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and hip extension, external and internal rotation of the hip, flexion with the knee flexed and extended, abduction with the hip/knee neutral, knee flexion, and ankle dorsiflexion with the knee flexed and extended ROM in 44 professional female football players [36]. However, the evaluation methods, sample size, age, and level of competition are different and do not allow us to compare the results with our scientific study. The normative data presented in this study can be utilized by researchers and strength and conditioning coaches in the women's football league in several ways, provided that similar data collection methods have been used [12]. Firstly, the data presented can facilitate the interpretation of ROM results achieved by individual competitive female football player. For example, if a female athlete achieves a ROM of 85\({}^{\circ}\) for hip flexion with the knee extended, this can be interpreted as an above-average result. Secondly, the data presented can be used to set specific and quantifiable targets for flexibility training for individual female football players.