Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
Abstract
Previous studies showed FIFA comprehensive warm up program reduce sport injuries but to date there is limited information on how such programs affect dynamic balance of soccer players. To study the effects of a structured injury prevention program, 11+, on dynamic balance among adolescent male soccer players between 14 and 16 years of age. Sixty six adolescence players (34 training, 32 control) aged 14-16 with no lower extremity injury from four youth male amateur soccer teams were included in the cluster randomized controlled trial. The teams were randomized two and two in control and training groups. Training-group subjects participated in a 30 weeks FIFA comprehensive warm up program 11+ that included plyometrics, core muscle strengthening, balance, and running exercises. These exercise performed at least twice a week as warm up. The control group performed its’ usual training. Dynamic balance was evaluated with Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). The SEBT was administered prior to and following 30 weeks of 11+ program in the training and control groups. Data was analyzed with separate 2×2 repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). The between-subjects variable was group (2 levels: control, training) and the within-subject variable was time (2 levels: pre, post). Paired sample t-test and t-test for independent groups used to analyze within and between subjects data. The 11+ training group showed statistically significant increases in anterior, Anteriomedial, Medial, Posteriomedial and lateral reach direction at the posttest compared with the control group (P < .05) using the SEBT. The study demonstrates that 11+ training program can increase the dynamic balance capabilities of adolescent soccer players.
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