Effects of a neuromuscular training program on physical performance and asymmetries in female soccer

Abstract

Introduction: Women’s football require optimal neuromuscular system development for injury prevention and performance optimization. Standardized neuromuscular training programs have shown promising results in reducing injuries and functional asymmetries, but evidence on their impact on performance is limited.Methods: This research examined the effects of a 10-week neuromuscular training program on physical performance and asymmetries in female football players. Thirty-eight female players from two Spanish Second Division women’s football teams participated in the study. The physical performance tests used were: ankle dorsiflexion, bilateral and unilateral horizontal jump, bilateral and unilateral vertical countermovement jump, 40 m sprint including partial times at 10, 20 and 30 m and the 505 test for change of direction evaluation. For 10 weeks, players in the experimental group performed three weekly 24-min neuromuscular training sessions. Participants in the control group completed their normal 24-min strength and conditioning program.Results: The main results were that maximal linear velocity and change of direction skills showed the most notable improvements [effect size (ES), 0.46 to 0.59] after implementation of the training program, ankle dorsiflexion and jumping skills, also improved although, to a lesser extent (ES, <0.35) while asymmetries between limbs were reduced. Maximal running speed improved in the intervention group (p < 0.001) with a mean ES −0.59.Discussion: We conclude that a 10-week neuromuscular training program can be a sufficient stimulus to improve football-specific performance variables in high-level female football players. Therefore, female players and coaches should be aware that weekly inclusion of strength, power and dynamic balance exercises following a neuromuscular paradigm is helpful for football-specific performance improvement.

Effects of Vertical and Horizontal Jumping Asymmetries on Linear and Change-of-Direction Speed Performance of Female Soccer Players

“…In only two studies [43,44], the level of asymmetry observed in horizontal jump tests for adolescent female soccer players was lower than those recorded in the present study. In adult female soccer players, the level of asymmetry found in our study, for vertical and horizontal jump tests, was much higher (two to three times higher) than the findings of other studies [28,29,46] with adult female soccer players.…”

“…Moreover, we suggest examining the correlation of not only vertical but also horizontal jumping asymmetries with the performance of female soccer players, in a systematic way. To conclude, we suggest practitioners implement strength and power training programs [44,46,48], as well as injury prevention protocols (FIFA 11+), balance training and neuromuscular training [49][50][51], aiming to reduce asymmetries in order to minimize the risk of injuries and potentially improve the performances of female soccer players in certain fitness tests.…”

Team Approach: Neuromuscular Training for Primary and Secondary Prevention of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

“…These athletic situations are typically limited to the team sports environment, given the increased nature of unplanned and reactionary athletic demands present in that environment. The prototypical—and must thoroughly studied 18-20 —setting for neuromuscular training is in the female soccer athlete. However, any sport with a high rate of cruciate ligament injury and potential for contested athletic movements represents an opportunity for neuromuscular training (Table I).…”

“…Implementation of neuromuscular training demonstrates the ability to improve dynamic balance 34,35 , strength 35 , and proprioception 36 in athletic populations. Although the primary intention of neuromuscular training is to protect the athlete from preventable injury, such training may also yield performance benefits 19,33 .…”

Effects of a Preseason Neuromuscular Training Program vs. an Endurance-Dominated Program on Physical Fitness and Injury Prevention in Female Soccer Players

“…Previous studies have reported that female soccer players show significantly lower physical fitness levels compared with their male counterparts [ 3 ]. That said, previous studies have also reported that NMT is well-suited to improve performance and reduce injuries in female soccer players [ 3 , 14 , 15 ], such as the FIFA 11 + training program [ 16 ]. Notably, NMT is a multimodal exercise regime that targets core stability, static and dynamic balance, weight transfer, coordination, rapid CoD, and muscle strength and power activities.…”