Impact of the FIFA 11+ on the structure of select muscles in adolescent female soccer players.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the impact of an injury prevention program (FIFA11+) on the structure of select trunk and leg muscles in adolescent female soccer players.

DESIGN

Exploratory analysis.

SETTING

University Sport Medicine Centre.

PARTICIPANTS

23 female soccer players (aged 14-16) recruited from a FIFA11 + implementation trial grouped by high and low 11 + exposure.

MAIN OUTCOMES: Pre and post-season sonographic measures of the rectus abdominis, external and internal oblique, transversus abdominis, inter-recti distance (IRD), lumbar multifidus, gluteus medius and minimus, and vastus medialis. Mean (95% confidence intervals; CI) were calculated for pre, post and pre-post season change of all parameters and univariate analyses used to compare groups (α = 0.001).

RESULTS

Both low (mean = 149 ± 9 exercises/year) and high (mean = 314 ± 15 exercises/year) 11 + exposure groups demonstrated significant post-season decreases in IRD at rest (p < 0.001) and during a leg lift (p < 0.001). No other between or within group differences existed.

CONCLUSIONS

Levels of FIFA11 + exposure were not associated with differential changes in the morphology of investigated muscles. As the IRD of participants in both exposure groups decreased it is possible that the protective mechanism of the FIFA11 + may be associated with alterations in neuromuscular control that result in abdominal wall adaptations.