FIFA 11+ Warm-Up and Injury Risk Classification in Youth Amateur Soccer Players

NCT07713004 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: PAU-FIFA11-2024
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 44
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial evaluated whether an eight-week, supervised FIFA 11+ neuromuscular warm-up program improves multifactorial injury risk classification, functional performance, and time-loss injury incidence in youth amateur male soccer players aged 15 to 18 years. Forty-four players from a regional amateur league were randomly allocated to either the FIFA 11+ group or a control group that continued its routine pre-training warm-up. Injury risk was classified using the Move2Perform algorithm, which integrates demographic data, injury history, the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), and the Lower Quarter Y-Balance Test (YBT-LQ). Jump performance and isometric lower extremity strength were also assessed at baseline and after eight weeks. Time-loss injuries were recorded prospectively throughout the intervention period. This study was registered retrospectively.

Conditions

Athletic Injuries; Soccer Injury; Lower Extremity Injury; Sprains and Strains

Keywords

FIFA 11+; Neuromuscular warm-up; Injury prevention; Move2Perform; Functional Movement Screen; Y-Balance Test; Youth soccer; Randomized controlled trial

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Move2Perform Injury Risk Category

  Injury risk is assessed using the Move2Perform injury risk classification system (Move2Perform LLC, Evansville, IN, USA). Each participant is assigned to one of four ordinal risk categories: Slight Risk, Moderate Risk, Substantial Risk, or High Risk. The outcome is the change in the assigned risk category from baseline to week 8. A shift toward a lower-risk category indicates improvement. The unit of measure is the ordinal risk category.

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 8-week intervention

• Number of Time-Loss Injuries

  The total number of time-loss injury events sustained during training or match play is recorded prospectively. A time-loss injury is defined as any physical complaint that prevents the participant from taking full part in a subsequent training session or match for at least 24 hours. The unit of measure is the number of injuries. Fewer injuries indicate a better outcome.

  From the first intervention session through completion of week 8

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Change in Lower Quarter Y-Balance Test Composite Score

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 8-week intervention

• Change in Functional Movement Screen Total Score

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 8-week intervention

• Change in Three-Consecutive Double-Leg Horizontal Jump Distance

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 8-week intervention

• Change in Three-Consecutive Right Single-Leg Horizontal Jump Distance

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 8-week intervention

• Change in Three-Consecutive Left Single-Leg Horizontal Jump Distance

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the 8-week intervention

Study Arms (2)

FIFA 11+ Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants performed the complete FIFA 11+ neuromuscular warm-up program three times per week for eight weeks prior to regular training, each session lasting approximately 20 minutes, under the supervision of a certified physiotherapist.

Other: FIFA 11+ Neuromuscular Warm-Up Program

Control Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants continued their routine pre-training warm-up over the same eight-week period, with no additional structured neuromuscular component.

Other: Routine Warm-Up

Interventions

FIFA 11+ Neuromuscular Warm-Up Program OTHER

The FIFA 11+ program comprises three sequential parts performed as a complete warm-up: (1) an initial running-based warm-up; (2) a central section of strength, plyometric, and balance exercises targeting neuromuscular control and core stability, progressed across three levels of difficulty; and (3) a final part of higher-speed running drills incorporating planting and cutting movements. Performed three times weekly for eight weeks, approximately 20 minutes per session, before regular training. All sessions were supervised by a certified physiotherapist who monitored technical execution, progressed exercise difficulty when criteria were met, and provided real-time correction to ensure intervention fidelity.

FIFA 11+ Group

Routine Warm-Up OTHER

The team's usual pre-training warm-up routine, continued unchanged for eight weeks with no additional structured neuromuscular component.

Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 15 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male, aged 15 to 18 years
• Minimum of one year of competitive experience in an amateur soccer league
• Actively competing in the Mugla Regional Amateur League at the time of enrolment
• No diagnosed systemic disease
• Written informed consent from a parent or legal guardian and written assent from the participant

You may not qualify if:

• Pain reported at the time of baseline assessment
• Injury sustained within the six months preceding the study

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Pamukkale University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Pamukkale University, Sports Sciences and Technology Research and Application Center

Denizli, Pamukkale, 20000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Athletic Injuries; Sprains and Strains

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Wounds and Injuries

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Investigators who administered the Functional Movement Screen, Lower Quarter Y-Balance Test, jump tests, and strength assessments at baseline and post-intervention were blinded to group allocation. Due to the nature of the intervention, participants and the supervising physiotherapist could not be blinded. Data were de-identified prior to statistical analysis.
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Researcher

Model Details: Two parallel groups: an experimental group performing the FIFA 11+ neuromuscular warm-up program and a control group continuing its routine pre-training warm-up. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after the eight-week intervention period.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 13, 2026
• First Posted: July 20, 2026
• Study Start: August 20, 2024
• Primary Completion: October 22, 2024
• Study Completion: October 22, 2024
• Last Updated: July 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)