The goal of this clinical trial is to analyze the effectiveness of an NMT-based, injury prevention training program ('FIFA 11+ for Kids') in pre-adolescent (Ages 8 to 11) elite female soccer players by measuring neuromuscular control and motor coordination through pre-intervention and post-intervention testing. As well as monitoring the incidence of injury throughout a soccer season.
This study will recruit females aged between 8-11 from several teams within a large, competitive elite soccer club. Whole teams will be assigned to either the intervention group or an age-matched control group. Participants will be informed which group they will be placed in prior to participation in the research study. As directed by their respective coaches, the intervention group will receive neuromuscular training (NMT) through an already established, validated protocol (FIFA 11+ Kids); whilst the control group will perform their standard warm-up during soccer practice sessions. The program will last for the duration of the spring soccer season (January - May 2023; 5 months). All study participants will be required to attend two evaluation sessions (pre-intervention and post-intervention) in order to measure performance in speed, agility, hop testing, dynamic balance and strength.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
93
This intervention uses the FIFA 11+ Kids program as a warm-up during soccer practice sessions.
Houston Methodist Hospital
Houston, Texas, United States
Dynamic balance assessment
The Y-balance test is a standardized protocol consisting of lower extremity reach in the anterior, posteromedial and posterolateral directions.
Time frame: Dynamic balance will be measured at two separate timepoints: pre-intervention (baseline) and post-intervention (within 5-months after baseline measures).
Strength assessment
Hamstring and quadriceps strength will be measured using a handheld dynamometer. Each strength measure will be taken 3 times with the average calculated.
Time frame: Strength will be measured at two separate timepoints: pre-intervention (baseline) and post-intervention (within 5-months after baseline measures).
Agility assessment
The Pro-Agility Test utilizes three cones. The farthest cone is sprinted to, the ground is touched with one hand and direction changed back to the starting cone (9.1m sprint). The ground is touched at the starting cone, direction is changed to the 'middle cone' into a 4.6m sprint. Passing the 'middle cone' is the finish line for the test. Each strength measure will be taken 3 times with the average calculated.
Time frame: Agility will be measured at two separate timepoints: pre-intervention (baseline) and post-intervention (within 5-months after baseline measures).
Hop testing assessment
Participants will complete a single leg hop, triple hop and a timed 6 meter hop
Time frame: Hop performance will be measured at two separate timepoints: pre-intervention (baseline) and post-intervention (within 5-months after baseline measures).
Kinetic jump testing assessment
A countermovement jump and a single leg vertical jump on a force plate platform system.
Time frame: Kinetic jump performance will be measured at two separate timepoints: pre-intervention (baseline) and post-intervention (within 5-months after baseline measures).
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Injury rates
Injury information provided by coaches and/or parents throughout the spring soccer season.
Time frame: Duration of spring soccer season, January - May (5 months).