Training Effects of the FIFA 11+ Kids on Physical Performance in Youth Football Players: A Randomized Control Trial
Objective To analyze the training effects of the FIFA 11+ kids on several parameters of physical performance in male youth football players. Materials and methods Twenty three youth players were randomized within each team into two groups (control vs. intervention) The intervention group performed the FIFA 11+ kids programme 2 times a week for 4 weeks; the control groups completed their normal warm up routines. Thirteen physical performance measures {range of motion (hip, knee, and ankle joints) dynamic postural control (measured throughout the Y balance test) 20 m sprint time, slalom dribble with a ball, agility, vertical jumping height [counter movement jump (CMJ) and drop jump (DJ) horizontal jump distance, accuracy when volleying a ball [measured throughout the Wall Volley test] were assessed. All physical performance parameters were compared via magnitude based inference analysis. Results Significant between group differences in favor of the FIFA 11+ players were found for dynamic postural control {anterior [mean and 90% confidence intervals (CI) 1 cm, from 1.6 to 3.5 cm] and posteromedial (mean and 90% CI 5.1 cm, from 1.8 to 12 cm) and posterolateral (mean and 90% CI 4.8 cm, from 0.6 to 9.0 cm) distances} agility run (mean and 90% CI 0.5 s, from 0.9 to 0 s) vertical jump height [CMJ (mean and 90% CI 3.1 cm, from 0.2 to 6.1 cm) and DJ (mean and 90% CI 1.7 cm, from 0.5 to 3.9 cm) and horizontal jump distance (mean and 90% CI 2.5 cm, from 8 to 15 cm) The control groups showed better performance in 20 m sprint time (mean and 90% CI 0.05 s, from 0.11 to 0.07) and wall volley tests (mean and 90% CI 0.2, from 0.2 to 0.6) compared to the intervention group. Conclusion The main findings of this study suggest that just 4 weeks of implementation of the FIFA 11+ kids produces improved physical performance compared with traditional warm up routines in youth soccer players.
Front. Pediatr.