The effects of FIFA 11+ exercise program on balance and isokinetic muscle strength on adolescent amateur soccer players

Abstract

Background

This study aimed to examine how muscle strength and balance in adolescent recreational football players were affected by FIFA 11+ (11+). Study design: Randomized controlled study.

Methods

The research comprised 24 football players from a team in an amateur league(age: 16.3 ± 0.8 years; height: 176.9 ± 7.3 cm; body mass: 67.3 ± 8.7 kg; BMI: 21.4 ± 1.9 kg/m²). The experimental group (N = 13) had three applications of the 11 + each week for nine weeks. The usual warm-up was continued by the control group (N = 11). The footballers underwent isokinetic and Star Excursion Balance Tests (SEBT) both before and after an intervention.

Results

Prior to the intervention, the experimental group's right hamstring-to-quadriceps (H/Q) strength ratio at 60 °/sec was significantly higher than that of the control group (p = 0032). Following the intervention, there was no difference between the groups (p > 0,05). After training at 240 °/sec, only the left quadriceps peak torque value of the experimental group was significantly higher compared to the control group (101.2 ± 21.4 vs. 85.8 ± 10.7 Nm, p = 0.042). In the comparisons of the groups after the intervention, the experimental group in SEBT was found to be significantly higher (85.4 ± 9.9 vs. 78.0 ± 6.7 cm, p = 0.040) in the right anteromedial aspect while there were no differences between the groups in the other aspects (p > 0,05). In SEBT, assessments of the within-groups before and after the intervention revealed a significant difference in nearly every aspect between the control group and the experimental group (p < 0,05).

Conclusion

The FIFA 11 + program appears to be more effective in improving dynamic balance than isokinetic muscle strength in adolescent amateur soccer players. These findings suggest that while FIFA 11 + may enhance neuromuscular control, additional strength-focused training may be required to elicit substantial strength gains in this population.

Clinical relevance

FIFA11 + is a widely used programme on adolescent football players, and understanding effects on balance and muscle strength can help to understand efficiency of the programme for injury prevention at early ages.