No effect on performance tests from a neuromuscular warm-up programme in youth female football: a randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the present randomised controlled trial was to study the effect of a neuromuscular warm-up programme on performance tests in youth female football.


METHODS
Four youth female football teams with players aged 12-16 years were randomised into an intervention group and control group. The intervention was a 15-min neuromuscular warm-up programme carried out twice a week during the 11-week study period. Baseline and follow-up measurements of performance were made indoors and included the star excursion balance test, a countermovement jump test, a triple-hop for distance test, a modified Illinois agility test, and 10- and 20-m sprint tests.


RESULTS
Fifty-two players (intervention 28; control 24) took part in baseline measurements, and after dropout, 41 players (intervention 23; control 18) were included for analysis. Minor positive changes were seen in the control group compared to the intervention group for a sub-score of the star excursion balance test (P < 0.05) and in the modified Illinois agility test (P < 0.05). No improvement was seen in the intervention group from baseline to follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The study showed that a neuromuscular warm-up programme carried out during 11 weeks did not improve performance in youth female football. This could indicate that the programme does not contain sufficient stimulus to improve performance. A low player attendance at training sessions, and low specificity between exercises in the warm-up programme and the evaluated performance tests may also contribute to the lack of effect.


METHODS
I.
Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden. lindblom.hanna@bredband.net
Hanna
H
Lindblom
Markus
M
Waldén
Martin
M
Hägglund
D000293:Adolescent; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology*