Investigating the Effects of Sport-Metric Training on Functional Factors Related to Lower Limb Injuries and Skill Variables in Young Futsal Players

Objective The present study aimed to examine the effects of injury prevention training using the Sport-Metric method on functional factors associated with reducing the risk of lower extremity injuries, as well as skill-related variables in young futsal players.Methods This study employed a quasi-experimental design.The participants included 30 futsal players aged 9 to 12 years who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria.They were randomly assigned to two groups of 15: an experimental group and a control group.Before and after six weeks of Sport-Metric training, agility, static balance, dynamic balance, power, dribbling speed, and shooting accuracy were assessed using the Illinois Agility Test, Stork Test, Y-Balance Test, Triple Hop Test, Dribbling Test, and Moore-Christian Shooting Test, respectively.The experimental group performed Sport-Metric-specific exercises for six weeks, three sessions per week, while the control group continued their routine futsal training.Data analysis was conducted using paired t-tests and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) at a significance level of 0.05. ResultsThe ANCOVA results indicated significant differences between the experimental and control groups after six weeks of training in agility performance (p = 0.001), static balance (p = 0.001), dynamic balance (p = 0.005), power (p = 0.003), dribbling speed (p = 0.013), and Moore-Christian shooting accuracy (p = 0.001). ConclusionThe findings of this study demonstrate that Sport-Metric training can significantly enhance both the physical and skill-related abilities of young futsal players.Therefore, it is recommended that Sport-Metric training be incorporated as an effective and practical approach in youth futsal development programs.