Effects of a soccer training session fatigue on balance ability

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of a soccer training session on the balance ability of the young soccer players. Participants were twenty-six young soccer players. Standard testing balance boards and Biodex Stability System were used to assess balance ability before (pre-training) and immediately after (post-training) the completion of a soccer training session. Also, Isokinetic knee joint moment measurements (60°/sec and 180°/sec) were carried out pre- and post-soccer training. The results revealed that no differences (p>0.05) were found in balance ability and knee joint moment production between pre- and post-soccer training. Result is in contrast to the notion of a link between fatigue induced by a soccer training session or game and injury caused by impaired balance

The effects of soccer training and timing of balance training on balance ability

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of a soccer training session on the balance ability of the players and assess whether the effectiveness of a balance program is affected by its performance before or after the regular soccer training. Thirty-nine soccer players were randomly divided into three subject groups (n=13 each), one control group (C group), one training group that followed a balance program (12 weeks, 3 times per week, 20 min per session) before the regular soccer training (TxB group), and one training group that performed the same balance program after the soccer training (TxA group). Standard testing balance boards and the Biodex Stability System were used to assess balance ability in the C, TxB, and TxA groups at baseline (T0) and after completing the balance program (T12). The same tests and additional isokinetic knee joint moment measurements were carried out in the TxB and TxA groups pre- and post-soccer training. Two main results were obtained: (1) No differences (p>0.05) were found in balance ability and knee joint moment production between pre- and post-soccer training. (2) The balance program increased (p<0.01) the balance ability in the TxB and TxA groups, and the improvement in the TxA group was greater (p<0.05) than that in the TxB group post-soccer training. Result (1) is in contrast to the notion of a link between fatigue induced by a soccer training session or game and injury caused by impaired balance, and result (2) has implications for athletic training and rehabilitation

Balance training programs for soccer injuries prevention

The purpose of the study was to compare 2 different balance training programs, based on distinct exercise frequencies, with the aim of improving proprioceptive ability. Thirty eight professional soccer players, were randomly assigned into 3 groups: the A group, exercised with a frequency of 6 times per week, for 3 weeks, the B group exercised with a frequency of 3 times per week, for 6 weeks and the C group (control) did not follow a highly specific balance training, but only a standard soccer training. All participants were evaluated with the use of an electronic stability system (indices-deviations) and of a wooden balance board (time on balance) before (pre test) and after the training period (post test). Analyses of variance (ANOVAs), with repeated measures on the last factor, were conducted to determine effect of training programs and measures (pre-test, post-test) on balance test indices (SI, API, and MLI) and time on balance board. The results showed that both training groups improved their balance ability similarly (p<0.05) despite the different frequency of the balance training program. The authors proposed that balance training program can be applied in soccer players on a daily basis or at least 3 times per week, according to the demands of the training period