The Effect of Integrative Training Program on Youth Soccer Players’ Power Indexes

Integrative neuromuscular training (INT) is commonly employed for preventing injuries, yet there is a scarcity of studies examining its impact on the physical capabilities of young athletes. This study sought to explore the influence of a brief, in-season INT intervention on the performance of adole...

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Main Authors: Yiannis Michailidis, Thodoris Kyzerakos, Thomas I. Metaxas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-12-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/1/384
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author Yiannis Michailidis
Thodoris Kyzerakos
Thomas I. Metaxas
author_facet Yiannis Michailidis
Thodoris Kyzerakos
Thomas I. Metaxas
author_sort Yiannis Michailidis
collection DOAJ
description Integrative neuromuscular training (INT) is commonly employed for preventing injuries, yet there is a scarcity of studies examining its impact on the physical capabilities of young athletes. This study sought to explore the influence of a brief, in-season INT intervention on the performance of adolescent soccer players. The participants included thirty-one U15 (under 15 years old) soccer players who were randomly assigned to either the control group (CG) (engaged solely in soccer training, n = 14, 14.6 ± 0.6 years) or the exercise group (EG) (where INT was incorporated into traditional soccer training, n = 17, 14.1 ± 0.6 years). Early or late maturers were excluded from the study. The INT program lasted for 5 weeks (two sessions per week) and mainly included single-leg exercises. At the commencement and conclusion of the intervention program, measurements were taken for acceleration (10 m), speed (30 m), jumping ability (squat jump, SJ, and countermovement jump, CMJ), and change of direction ability (COD) (Illinois agility test). The data analysis employed a two-way repeated-measures ANOVA. The INT program resulted in enhanced performance for the EG in SJ (28.4–32.3, <i>p</i> < 0.001, η<sup>2</sup> = 0.463), CMJ (30.6–35.3, <i>p</i> < 0.001, η<sup>2</sup> = 0.426), and COD ability (18.11–17.64, <i>p</i> = 0.003, η<sup>2</sup> = 0.545). No changes in performance were observed in the CG. The results suggest that the addition of a short-duration in-season INT program in U15 soccer players can induce positive adaptations in their performance.
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spelling doaj.art-a4ac95fe203c4e7aa18a94b6ac8f59232024-01-10T14:51:57ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172023-12-0114138410.3390/app14010384The Effect of Integrative Training Program on Youth Soccer Players’ Power IndexesYiannis Michailidis0Thodoris Kyzerakos1Thomas I. Metaxas2Laboratory of Evaluation of Human Biological Performance, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 57001 Thessaloniki, GreeceLaboratory of Evaluation of Human Biological Performance, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 57001 Thessaloniki, GreeceLaboratory of Evaluation of Human Biological Performance, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 57001 Thessaloniki, GreeceIntegrative neuromuscular training (INT) is commonly employed for preventing injuries, yet there is a scarcity of studies examining its impact on the physical capabilities of young athletes. This study sought to explore the influence of a brief, in-season INT intervention on the performance of adolescent soccer players. The participants included thirty-one U15 (under 15 years old) soccer players who were randomly assigned to either the control group (CG) (engaged solely in soccer training, n = 14, 14.6 ± 0.6 years) or the exercise group (EG) (where INT was incorporated into traditional soccer training, n = 17, 14.1 ± 0.6 years). Early or late maturers were excluded from the study. The INT program lasted for 5 weeks (two sessions per week) and mainly included single-leg exercises. At the commencement and conclusion of the intervention program, measurements were taken for acceleration (10 m), speed (30 m), jumping ability (squat jump, SJ, and countermovement jump, CMJ), and change of direction ability (COD) (Illinois agility test). The data analysis employed a two-way repeated-measures ANOVA. The INT program resulted in enhanced performance for the EG in SJ (28.4–32.3, <i>p</i> < 0.001, η<sup>2</sup> = 0.463), CMJ (30.6–35.3, <i>p</i> < 0.001, η<sup>2</sup> = 0.426), and COD ability (18.11–17.64, <i>p</i> = 0.003, η<sup>2</sup> = 0.545). No changes in performance were observed in the CG. The results suggest that the addition of a short-duration in-season INT program in U15 soccer players can induce positive adaptations in their performance.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/1/384functional trainingadolescencephysical performancesingle-leg strength exercises
spellingShingle Yiannis Michailidis
Thodoris Kyzerakos
Thomas I. Metaxas
The Effect of Integrative Training Program on Youth Soccer Players’ Power Indexes
Applied Sciences
functional training
adolescence
physical performance
single-leg strength exercises
title The Effect of Integrative Training Program on Youth Soccer Players’ Power Indexes
title_full The Effect of Integrative Training Program on Youth Soccer Players’ Power Indexes
title_fullStr The Effect of Integrative Training Program on Youth Soccer Players’ Power Indexes
title_full_unstemmed The Effect of Integrative Training Program on Youth Soccer Players’ Power Indexes
title_short The Effect of Integrative Training Program on Youth Soccer Players’ Power Indexes
title_sort effect of integrative training program on youth soccer players power indexes
topic functional training
adolescence
physical performance
single-leg strength exercises
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/1/384
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