The effects of FIFA 11+ warm-up program on knee strength ratio in male amateur football players

Abstract

Introduction: The injuries among young male amateur football player actually occur at lower extremities, especially knee joint. Knee strength ratio (hamstrings to quadriceps ratio: H/Q ratio) is related to the risk of injury to the knee in football player. Objective was to determine the effect of FIFA 11+ warm-up program on knee strength ratio in young male amateur football player.

Method: Twenty-one amateur football players were divided into 2 groups; FIFA 11+ (n = 10) and control (n = 11). During pre- and post- warm-up program training period, knee strength ratio (H/Q ratio) was tested by isokinetic machine. Warm-up program training was performed 3 ti mes per week for 8 weeks
(24 sessions).

Results: After warm-up program training, H/Q ratio at 60os^-1 significantly increased in both groups (p < 0.05). H/Q ratio on dominant leg increased in FIFA 11+ and control groups by 0.71 and 0.45, respectively. H/Q ratio on non-dominant leg increased in FIFA 11+ and control groups by 0.63 and 0.49, respectively. Meanwhile, H/Q ratio at 60os^-1 on dominant and non-dominant leg showed no significant differences between FIFA 11+ and control groups (p > 0.05).

Discussion and Conclusion: FIFA 11+ warm-up program may be effective in increasing strength ratio of hamstrings and quadriceps in dominant and non-dominant leg. This may help reducing hamstring muscle injuries in young male amateur football players.

Key words: Warm-up program, FIFA 11+, Knee strength ratio (H/Q ratio), Football, Amateur