The Effect of 8 Weeks of Reactive Neuromuscular Training vs Core Stability Training on the Balance of Male Football Players

Abstract

Background and Aims Football is the most popular sport worldwide but has a high risk of injury. Optimal balance is one of the influential factors in injury prevention in sports, so this study aimed to compare the effect of 8 weeks of reactive neuromuscular training with core stability training on the balance of male football players. Methods This research was a quasi-experimental study. Fifty-three male adolescent football players entered the study as subjects and were randomly divided into three groups: Reactive neuromuscular training (n=18), core stability training (n=17), and control (n=18). A balance error scoring system and Y balance tests were used for all subjects to assess the static and dynamic balance. Training groups then performed an 8-week training program, but the control group did not perform any specific training during this period. After 8 weeks, the tests were repeated. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS software, version 26. To investigate the differences between groups, we used an analysis of covariance followed by an LSD post hoc test. Results Both training groups in the post-test had significantly better static and dynamic balance than the pre-test (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the two test stages in the control group (P>0.05). Also, between-group comparisons revealed that in the post-test, the reactive neuromuscular training group had better results than the other two groups in static and dynamic balance (P<0.05). Conclusion The results of this study show that reactive neuromuscular training has a greater effect on the balance of footballers than core stability training. According to the results obtained in this study, it is suggested that this type of training can be used in training programs for football players.