Abstract
To analyze the training effects of the FIFA 11+ kids on several parameters of physical performance in male youth football players. Twenty-three youth players were randomized within each team into two groups (control vs. intervention). The intervention group performed the FIFA 11+ kids programme 2 times a week for 4 weeks; the control groups completed their normal warm-up routines. Thirteen physical performance measures {range of motion (hip, knee, and ankle joints), dynamic postural control (measured throughout the Y balance test), 20 m sprint time, slalom dribble with a ball, agility, vertical jumping height [counter movement jump (CMJ) and drop jump (DJ)], horizontal jump distance, accuracy when volleying a ball [measured throughout the Wall Volley test]} were assessed. All physical performance parameters were compared via magnitude-based inference analysis. Significant between-group differences in favor of the FIFA 11+ players were found for dynamic postural control {anterior [mean and 90% confidence intervals (CI) = 1 cm, from -1.6 to 3.5 cm] and posteromedial (mean and 90% CI = 5.1 cm, from -1.8 to 12 cm) and posterolateral (mean and 90% CI = 4.8 cm, from 0.6 to 9.0 cm) distances}, agility run (mean and 90% CI = 0.5 s, from -0.9 to 0 s), vertical jump height [CMJ (mean and 90% CI = 3.1 cm, from 0.2 to 6.1 cm) and DJ (mean and 90% CI = 1.7 cm, from -0.5 to 3.9 cm)], and horizontal jump distance (mean and 90% CI = 2.5 cm, from -8 to 15 cm). The control groups showed better performance in 20 m sprint time (mean and 90% CI = -0.05 s, from -0.11 to 0.07) and wall volley tests (mean and 90% CI = 0.2, from -0.2 to 0.6) compared to the intervention group. The main findings of this study suggest that just 4 weeks of implementation of the FIFA 11+ kids produces improved physical performance compared with traditional warm-up routines in youth soccer players.
Highlights
Football is a physically demanding sport that entails sudden acceleration and deceleration, rapid changes of directions, jumping and landing tasks; as well as many situations in which players are involved in tackling to keep possession of or to win the ball (Faude et al, 2013; Krustrup et al, 2010)
Significant between-group differences in favour of the FIFA 11+ players were found for dynamic postural control, agility run, vertical jump height, and horizontal jump distance
The findings of the current study indicate that the training stimuli provided by the implementation of the FIFA 11+ Kids two times per week for 4 weeks (8 sessions) appears to be sufficient to elicit small to moderate improvements in some but not all (20 m sprint time, slalom dribble, wall volley and ROMs [with the exception of the knee flexion ROM] measures) of the physical performance parameters analysed
Summary
Football (soccer) is a physically demanding sport that entails sudden acceleration and deceleration, rapid changes of directions, jumping and landing tasks; as well as many situations in which players are involved in tackling to keep possession of or to win the ball (Faude et al, 2013; Krustrup et al, 2010). Younger football players seem to have more fractures and bone stress, fewer strains and sprains, and more injuries of the upper body than adolescent players (Rössler et al, 2015) These considerations have led some authors to develop a warm-up programme designed to prevent injuries and reduce the number and severity of football-related injuries in children that takes age-specific injury characteristics and physical maturity into account (Rössler et al, 2016). Two exclusion criteria were established: 1) missed
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