Effects of the FIFA11+ Warm-up Program on Speed, Agility, and Vertical Jump Performance in Adult Female Amateur Soccer Players
Condition: Soccer; Exercise; Athletic Performance
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This study is being conducted for a master's dissertation. Our goal is to determine if there
      are physical performance benefits to performing the FIFA11+ soccer warm-up program in adult
      female soccer players over an eight week period. This topic has been studied primarily using
      male soccer players. The performance effects in adult female soccer players is currently
      unknown.

      This warm-up has been shown to reduce non-contact injury rates in soccer players aged >13. If
      performance benefits are demonstrated in this study, in addition to the reported injury
      reduction benefits of the FIFA11+ warm-up, program adherence and player performance could
      improve.
    


Intervention name(s): FIFA11+; 'Usual' Soccer Warm-up
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): The FIFA11+ has three parts and consist of 15 exercises.
Part 1 consists of active stretching, running and controlled partner contact drills.
Part 2 has three difficulty levels for 6 sets of exercises. The exercises consist of core and leg strength exercises, balance and plyometric drills. The exercises in this section are perhaps the most unique element to the FIFA11+ warm-up, as strength-specific exercises like the Nordic Hamstring Curl are not generally included in soccer warm-ups.
Part 3 consists of higher intensity running drills, compared to those covered in Part 1.
Unlike many soccer warm-ups, the FIFA11+ has been studied rigorously in terms of its injury reduction potential.; This warm-up is time-matched to the FIFA11+ (approximately 20 minutes) and is considered 'usual' for the team.
This warm-up consists of stretching, running and agility drills, in addition to "small sided" games with a soccer ball, which is not a part of the FIFA11+.
The 'usual' warm-up is decided by the coach with no standardization nor any formal research on its effectiveness in injury reduction or performance enhancement.
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: A parallel, two-group, pre-post comparative trial is proposed for this study. Two soccer teams comprise the convenience sample. One team ("Impact") will be allocated to the control group while the other team ("Hearts") are allocated to the intervention group. Participant allocation is premeditated due to Dr. Matt Wentzell's regular paramedical involvement with the "Hearts" and therefore his ability to oversee and administer the intervention warm-up. The control warm-up will be run by the coaching staff of the control group.
Performance pre-testing will be performed by three trained assistants one week after the 2018/2019 soccer season begins. Tests will be performed three times with the best test score being recorded.
Both groups will then complete their assigned warm-up three times per week for eight weeks. Both groups will complete posttesting within three days of the trial period concluding in a fashion identical to that of the pre-testing session.
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Supportive Care
Keywords: football; soccer; warm-up; FIFA; 11+; performance; speed; agility; jump