Training Effects of the FIFA 11+ Kids on Physical Performance in Youth Football Players: A Randomized Control Trial

Abstract

ObjectiveTo analyze the training effects of the FIFA 11+ kids on several parameters of physical performance in male youth football players.Materials and methodsTwenty-three youth players were randomized within each team into two groups (control vs. intervention). The intervention group performed the FIFA 11+ kids programme 2 times a week for 4 weeks; the control groups completed their normal warm-up routines. Thirteen physical performance measures {range of motion (hip, knee, and ankle joints), dynamic postural control (measured throughout the Y balance test), 20 m sprint time, slalom dribble with a ball, agility, vertical jumping height [counter movement jump (CMJ) and drop jump (DJ)], horizontal jump distance, accuracy when volleying a ball [measured throughout the Wall Volley test]} were assessed. All physical performance parameters were compared via magnitude-based inference analysis.ResultsSignificant between-group differences in favor of the FIFA 11+ players were found for dynamic postural control {anterior [mean and 90% confidence intervals (CI) = 1 cm, from −1.6 to 3.5 cm] and posteromedial (mean and 90% CI = 5.1 cm, from −1.8 to 12 cm) and posterolateral (mean and 90% CI = 4.8 cm, from 0.6 to 9.0 cm) distances}, agility run (mean and 90% CI = 0.5 s, from −0.9 to 0 s), vertical jump height [CMJ (mean and 90% CI = 3.1 cm, from 0.2 to 6.1 cm) and DJ (mean and 90% CI = 1.7 cm, from −0.5 to 3.9 cm)], and horizontal jump distance (mean and 90% CI = 2.5 cm, from −8 to 15 cm). The control groups showed better performance in 20 m sprint time (mean and 90% CI = −0.05 s, from −0.11 to 0.07) and wall volley tests (mean and 90% CI = 0.2, from −0.2 to 0.6) compared to the intervention group.ConclusionThe main findings of this study suggest that just 4 weeks of implementation of the FIFA 11+ kids produces improved physical performance compared with traditional warm-up routines in youth soccer players.

Short-Term FIFA 11+ Improves Agility and Jump Performance in Young Soccer Players

“…Significant differences were found in favor of FIFA 11+group, but 1 month after the treatment when they stopped applying the program, the vertical jump results were back at the level of the initial measurement, which led to the conclusion that the program should be further applied since the program did not show the presence of long-term effects. Pomares-Noguera et al showed that only 4 weeks of the application of the FIFA 11+ kids program is enough to provide better physical performance in relation to the standard method of warming up in youth football players [15]. This was confirmed in the present study where FIFA 11+ elicited significant improvement for standing long jump (5.6%; p = 0.001).…”

“…On the contrary, our results showed small (1.9%) but significant improvement (p = 0.046) for Illinois agility test after only 4 weeks of the FIFA 11+ program [7]. Similar improvements after 4 weeks also have been reported in agility run after the implementation of FIFA 11+ kids in a large cohort of football players the same age as in our study [15].…”

“…Furthermore, simple main effect of time revealed that both groups improved performance in the Sit and Reach test, the FIFA 11+ (F (1,18) = 23.81, p < 0.001, ŋ 2 p = 0.569) and CG (F (1,15) = 7.21, p = 0.017, ŋ 2 p = 0.325). Although the established level of significance (p ≤ 0.05) was not achieved for the interaction effect on VO 2 max, simple main effect of time showed that the mean VO 2 max significantly improved from pre-to post-test in the FIFA 11+ (F (1,18 ) = 22.22, p < 0.001, ŋ 2 p = 0.529), but not in the CG (F (1,15) = 2.85, p = 0.112, ŋ 2 p = 0.160). The changes from pre-to post-test in the remaining studied physical performance outcomes for FIFA 11+ and CG were not significant ( Table 2).…”

“…Studies looking at the influence of the FIFA 11+ in adult males have reported improvements in jump performance [28]. Positive effects on jump performance in the group of young children were found following FIFA 11+ kids [15]. Recently, Akbari et al [12] examined the impact of the "FIFA 11+" program on the vertical jump of football players aged 17 years.…”

“…Furthermore, it has been shown that young boys (mean ± SD: age 10.4 ± 1.4) improved countermovement jump and 20 m sprint by 6% and 2%, respectively, following the 6-week-FIFA 11 warm-up program [14]. In 11-year-old boys, Pomares-Noguera et al found that the FIFA 11+ kids warm-up program had possibly beneficial effects (mean difference) on the standing long jump height (3.1 cm), the performance of the Y balance test (directions: anterior (1.4 cm), posteromedial (3.5 cm), and posterolateral (3.1 cm)) and the Illinois agility test (−0.41 s), but very likely and likely beneficial effects on the countermovement jump height (1.8 cm), and the drop jump height (1.8 cm), respectively [15].…”