The Effect of Neuromuscular Training Program in Futsal Players

The Effect of Neuromuscular Training Program on Physical Fitness and Performance Components in Young Male Futsal Players

Despite its popularity, there has been limited research on futsal, possibly due to the lack of financial interest in the game, and most of these research articles have addressed game analysis and/or physiological demands on players during match playing and training. For this reason, our aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of an 8-week neuromuscular training program on performance, physical fitness and injury risk in university futsal players.

Futsal, known as five-on-five indoor soccer, is a team sport officially authorized by FIFA and is becoming more and more popular all over the world. Futsal is among the 10 risky sports with the highest traumatic injuries. Futsal-induced traumas cause undesirable consequences such as accelerated osteoarthritis, different types of injuries in the muscle-tendon region, ligament injuries, cartilage injuries, loss of physical activity and higher repetitive injuries. Activities that result in a higher level of fitness can significantly reduce the likelihood of injury and serve as a useful tool for athletes' professional careers and post-career periods.

Neuromuscular control, which is considered a critical component of motor skills, is defined as the ability to keep the body's center of gravity within the base of support. It can be categorized as static or dynamic balance and may be the most modifiable risk factor for the prevention of knee injuries. Interventions targeting neuromuscular control include dynamic lower extremity alignment during landing from a jump, shock absorption, muscle recruitment patterns; and gains improvement in balance through plyometric, strengthening, balancing, endurance and stability exercises. Neuromuscular training program can improve neuromuscular control, which can lead to improvement in balance and joint stability.

In our study, it was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an 8-week neuromuscular training program on performance, physical fitness and injury risk in university futsal players.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Playing in Istanbul Medipol University futsal team
• 2 days a week, 2 hours training for futsal or 1 game a week and 2 hours a week, 2 days a week

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of lower extremity injury or surgery within 6 months prior to the test
• Injury three months before the study,
• Failure to heal or complete rehabilitation of previous injury,
• Physical or mental conditions that prevent them from participating in technical and tactical futsal training and/or experimental training programs
• Two or more missed training sessions