Abstract

Objective: Performance benefits related to the FIFA11+ may encourage program endorsement from coaches and athletes and improve warm-up adherence. The objective of this novel pilot study is to determine the performance-related effects of the FIFA11+ on adult female amateur soccer players as it is largely unknown.

Equipment and methods: A parallel, two-group, pre-post, single-blind comparative trial design was implemented. Players between 19-42 years of age, from two adult female amateur soccer teams (n=21) participated in the pilot study. Agility T-test, squat jump, and 10m sprint tests were performed prior and subsequent to participants completing the FIFA11+ or a time-matched warm-up three times per week for eight weeks. Nonparametric tests were used to determine within- and between-group differences between pre-post testing.

 

Results: The between-group testing results for the 10m sprint, agility T-test and squat jump in the FIFA11+ group trended favorably relative to the control group but statistical significance was not achieved. Within-group testing results were statistically significant for the agility T-test and squat jump for both the FIFA11+ and control group. Although statistical significance was not achieved, the FIFA11+ trends toward greater improvement in speed, agility and vertical jump performance when compared to a traditional warm-up. This study provides the impetus for additional larger scale and adequately powered trials in an understudied soccer population.

Keywords

soccer, football, physical functional performance, warm-up exercise, training, volleyball and basketball, injury, osteoarthritis, long-term morbidities, denote improvements, soccer populations, stationary position, knee flexion, ball-oriented drills, exercises, warm-up programs, paramedical involvement