Effects of Integrative Neuromuscular Training on Motor Performance in Prepubertal Soccer Players

Abstract Menezes, GB, Alexandre, DR, Pinto, JC, Assis, TV, Faigenbaum, AD, and Mortatti, AL. Effects of integrative neuromuscular training on motor performance in prepubertal soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 36(6): 1667–1674, 2022—The present study examined the effects of integrative neuromuscular training (INT) on motor performance in prepubertal soccer players. Subjects were randomly assigned to the experimental group (INT; n = 20, age: 8.2 ± 1.2 years; body mass: 28.4 ± 6.4 kg; height: 1.3 ± 0.1 m) or the control group (CON; n = 18, age: 8.5 ± 1.3 years; body mass: 32.8 ± 8.9 kg; height: 1.3 ± 0.1 m). Integrative neuromuscular training program was performed twice per week during the 12-week training intervention. Balance, flexibility, countermovement vertical jump height (CVJH), sprint speed, and change of direction speed (CODS) were assessed in both groups at baseline, sixth week and 12th week. A mixed model repeated measures analysis of variance was used to examine the group changes in performance for each variable. There was a time effect for balance in the INT from pre to 12th weeks ( p < 0.001, g = 0.72), and from 6th to 12th weeks ( p = 0.005, g = 0.34). An interaction effect for balance was also observed between INT and CON after the 12th week. A time effect in flexibility was observed in INT from baseline to 6th and 12th weeks ( p = 0.02; g = 0.45 and p < 0.001; g = 0.71) and from 6 to 12th weeks ( p = 0.003; g = 0.24). There was a time effect in CVJH, from baseline to 12th week and from 6th to 12th weeks ( p < 0.05; g = 0.34 and g = 0.53, respectively). There was no significant between-group speed performance change. A time effect was found in CODS in INT, but only from baseline to 12th week ( p = 0.02; g = 0.31). There were significant improvements in the percent change (Δ%) from baseline to 12 weeks ( p < 0.05) for balance, flexibility, and CVJH in INT. These findings indicate that the addition of an INT program to soccer practice can improve selected motor performance skills in prepubertal soccer players.