Effect of FIFA 11+ Injury Prevention Program for Eight Weeks on the Dynamic Postural Stability of Teenage Male Soccer Players in Single-Leg Jump-Landing Exercises

Previous studies have shown that FIFA 11 comprehensive warm-up program is effective in the prevention of injuries in soccer players. Although dynamic postural stability is one of the main risk factors for soccer injuries, data is scarce on the effects of this program on dynamic postural stability. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of FIFA 11 on the dynamic postural stability of male soccer players aged 14-16 years.
In this study, 30 soccer players were randomly divided into two groups of experimental (n=15) and control (n=15). Participants had no history of lower-extremity injuries. Control subjects continued routine exercises, while the experimental group received the FIFA 11 injury prevention exercises as warm-up, followed by common soccer practices. Exercises were performed three times per week for eight weeks. Dynamic stability was measured based on single-leg jumplanding on a force-plate. Data analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA, and paired and independent t-test were used for the comparison of inter-group and intra-group differences (P>0.05).
Compared to the control group, significant differences were observed in the experimental group in terms of the time of reaching stabilization in the anterior-posterior (P=0.004) and mediolateral directions (P=0.001).
FIFA 11 injury prevention program could increase dynamic postural stability probably through improving proprioception and neuromuscular coordination.