Five-week sensory motor training program improves functional performance and postural control in young male soccer players - A blind randomized clinical trial.
Sensory motor training programs are used in the rehabilitation and prevention of injuries among soccer players. Inconsistencies are found in the literature regarding the duration of the protocols and the exercises and equipment used.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the benefits of a five-week sensory motor training program on the functional performance and postural control of young soccer players.


METHODS
The study sample comprised 22 young male soccer players who were evaluated using: the Figure-of-Eight Test (F8), Side Hop Test (SHT), Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), and a force platform. The players were randomly divided into a control group (N = 10), who continued their soccer practice sessions and an intervention group (N = 12), who continued their soccer practice sessions and were also enrolled in a supervised five-week sensory motor training program.


RESULTS
After the five-week training program, the intervention group obtained significant results in the F8, SHT and SEBT, as well as in the following parameters: area of pressure of sway center (COP), mean velocity and mean frequency of COP.


CONCLUSIONS
The five-week sensory motor training program, carried out with easily available and low cost equipment, was effective at improving functional performance and postural control in young soccer players.
Physiotherapy Department, Health Sciences Center, State University of Londrina (UEL), Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Lucas Rafael
LR
Heleno
Center for Health Science Research, Laboratory of Functional Evaluation and Human Motor Performance (LAFUP), North Paraná University (UNOPAR), Londrina, PR, Brazil; Doctoral and Masters Program in Rehabilitation Sciences UEL/UNOPAR, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Rubens A
RA
da Silva
Center for Health Science Research, Laboratory of Functional Evaluation and Human Motor Performance (LAFUP), North Paraná University (UNOPAR), Londrina, PR, Brazil; Doctoral and Masters Program in Rehabilitation Sciences UEL/UNOPAR, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Leonardo
L
Shigaki
Center for Health Science Research, Laboratory of Functional Evaluation and Human Motor Performance (LAFUP), North Paraná University (UNOPAR), Londrina, PR, Brazil; Doctoral and Masters Program in Rehabilitation Sciences UEL/UNOPAR, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Cynthia Gobbi Alves
CG
Araújo
Center of Physical Education and Sport, State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Cristiane Regina
CR
Coelho Candido
Center of Physical Education and Sport, State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Victor Hugo Alves
VH
Okazaki
Center of Physical Education and Sport, State University of Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Ariobaldo
A
Frisseli
Physiotherapy Department, Health Sciences Center, State University of Londrina (UEL), Londrina, PR, Brazil; Doctoral and Masters Program in Rehabilitation Sciences UEL/UNOPAR, Londrina, PR, Brazil. Electronic address: chmacedouel@yahoo.com.br.
Christiane de S Guerino
CS
Macedo
D000293:Adolescent; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Athletes; Football; Physiotherapy; Postural balance