Neuromuscular Training in Female Youth Soccer

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Detailed Description
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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.

Official Title
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Effect of Neuromuscular Training on Physical Performance and Injury Rate in Elite Female Youth Soccer Players

Conditions
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Injury;Sports

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Neuromuscular Training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Elite female soccer players aged 8-11. Member of an elite youth soccer club. Exclusion Criteria: Female not aged 8-11 years old. Not a member of a youth soccer club. Unable to attend the pre-intervention or post-intervention evaluation, for reasons other than injury. Unable to attend 80% or more of scheduled training sessions. If a participant discontinues playing soccer they will be excluded. Declines to participate in study.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 8 Years
Maximum Age: 11 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: There are two groups for this study. The control group performs their standard warm-up during soccer practice sessions and the experimental group performs neuromuscular training (NMT) in the form of the FIFA 11+ Kids program as their warm up.
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| No Intervention: Control - Standard warm-up<br>This group performed a standard warm-up protocol during their soccer practice sessions. | |
| Experimental: Intervention - NMT<br>This group performed a specific Neuromuscular Training (NMT) warm-up program known as FIFA 11+ Kids during their soccer practice sessions | Other: Neuromuscular Training<br>* This intervention uses the FIFA 11+ Kids program as a warm-up during soccer practice sessions.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dynamic balance assessment | The Y-balance test is a standardized protocol consisting of lower extremity reach in the anterior, posteromedial and posterolateral directions. | 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. | 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. | 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 | 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. | Kinetic jump performance will be measured at two separate timepoints: pre-intervention (baseline) and post-intervention (within 5-months after baseline measures). | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Injury rates | Injury information provided by coaches and/or parents throughout the spring soccer season. | Duration of spring soccer season, January - May (5 months). |