title: Physiological and performance responses to the FIFA 11+ (part 2): a randomised controlled trial on the training effects.
abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the training effects of an injury prevention programme on neuromuscular control, strength and performance in male amateur football players. Eighty-one players were allocated to the "FIFA 11+" (n = 42) or a control group (CON, n = 39). The "FIFA 11+" group performed the programme 3 times a week for 9 weeks; the control group completed the usual warm-up. Primary outcomes were: time-to-stabilisation test and eccentric/concentric flexors strength. Secondary outcomes were: eccentric/concentric extensors strength, star excursion balance test, core-stability test, vertical jump, sprint, and agility. After controlling for covariates, significant between-group differences after the intervention (in favour of the "FIFA 11+" players) were found for time-to-stabilisation (-2.8%, 90% confidence interval [CI] -4.4 to -1.2%) and core-stability (-8.9%, -14.6 to -3.1%). Differences were also found for eccentric (3.8%, 1.4 to 6.2%) and concentric flexors strength (3.2%, 0.6 to 5.9%) at 60° · s(-1) but this difference was only possibly meaningful (62.4%) from a practical point of view. No substantial and/or significant differences were found for the other outcomes. Performing "FIFA 11+" for 9 weeks can improve neuromuscular control. Possible worthwhile differences were found for flexors strength but there were no substantial effects in the other performance measures.
authors.affiliation: FIFA Medical Assessment and Research Centre, Schulthess Clinic, Zurich, Switzerland. franco.impellizzeri@gmail.com
authors.forename: Franco M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Impellizzeri
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bizzini
authors.forename: Jiri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dvorak
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pellegrini
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schena
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Junge
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D009068:Movement; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D063996:Warm-Up Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult