A new injury prevention programme for children's football--FIFA 11+ Kids--can improve motor performance: a cluster-randomised controlled trial.
The present study evaluated the effects of a newly developed injury prevention programme for children's football ("FIFA 11+ Kids") on motor performance in 7-12-year-old children. We stratified 12 football teams (under-9/-11/-13 age categories) into intervention (INT, N = 56 players) and control groups (CON, N = 67). INT conducted the 15-min warm-up programme "FIFA 11+ Kids" twice a week for 10 weeks. CON followed a standard warm-up (sham treatment). Pre- and post-tests were conducted using: single leg stance; Y-balance test; drop and countermovement jump; standing long jump; 20-m sprint; agility run; slalom dribble; and wall volley test. We used magnitude-based inferences and linear mixed-effects models to analyse performance test results. We observed likely beneficial effects favouring INT in Y-balance (right leg; +3.2%; standardised mean difference (SMD) = 0.34; P = 0.58) and agility run (+3.6%; SMD = 0.45; P = 0.008). Possibly beneficial effects were found in Y-balance, drop jump reactive strength index, drop jump height, countermovement jump, standing long jump, slalom dribble and wall volley test. At least possibly beneficial improvements in favour of "FIFA 11+ Kids" were observed in nearly all parameters. Most effects were small, but slight improvements in motor performance may potentially contribute to a reduction of injury risk.
a University of Basel , Switzerland.
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Rössler
a University of Basel , Switzerland.
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Donath
b FIFA-Medical Assessment and Research Centre (F-MARC) and Schulthess Clinic , Switzerland.
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Bizzini
a University of Basel , Switzerland.
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Faude
D000886:Anthropometry; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries*; D063996:Warm-Up Exercise
Soccer; agility; balance; juniors; sprint; youth athletes