Impact of Proprioceptive Training on Postural Stability in Adolescent Male Soccer Players: A Single Group Preliminary Study

Abstract

Football is one of the most popular team sports globally. Both amateur and professional footballers face the risk of injuries during training and matches. To mitigate this risk, a study was conducted focusing on training to improve postural stability – a crucial element in sports injury prevention. The study involved 20 boys aged 14–15 years, training at a professional football club, with a mean height of 172 cm and a body weight of 58.5 kg. The intervention comprised additional training sessions held twice a week over three months, utilizing the Delos Postural Proprietary System platform. Each training session lasted 15 minutes. As part of the study, the footballers underwent the ‘RIVA’ test, assessing postural stability with eyes closed and open before and after the intervention. The results revealed a statistically significant improvement in both trials, 4.3% and 2.1%, respectively. When compared with findings from other studies, it is reasonable to conclude that this form of additional training may contribute to a reduction in injuries, especially among young football players.