The FIFA 11+ Program Significantly Enhances Physical Performance and Dynamic Balance in Male Handball Players

Injury prevention and performance enhancement are key objectives in sports training. The FIFA 11+ program, originally developed to reduce injury risks, has gained attention for its potential benefits in improving physical performance and dynamic balance. This study aimed to examine the impact of an 8-week FIFA 11+ training program on vertical jump, Illinois Agility, and Y-Balance Test (YBT) performances in adult male handball players. Twenty-five players from two senior national male handball teams were recruited and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 13) or a control group (n = 11). Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention, including the countermovement jump (CMJ), the Illinois Agility Test (IAT), and the Y-Balance Test (YBT), which measured anterior (AT), posteromedial (PM), and posterolateral (PL) reach directions as well as a composite score (CS). The FIFA 11+ group showed significant improvements after the eight-week program, with increased CMJ (p = 0.013) and reduced IAT time (p < 0.001). Dynamic balance, as measured by the YBT, improved significantly in both lower limbs (p = 0.022–0.001), with enhanced postural stability across multiple directions (F = 6.92–20.23, p = 0.022–0.001, ηp2 = 0.366–0.628, power = 0.68–0.98). In contrast, the control group exhibited minimal or no significant changes. While the results suggest that the FIFA 11+ program can improve specific performance outcomes in this population, the relatively small sample size and focus on a single sport and age group warrant caution in generalizing these findings. Further studies involving larger and more diverse cohorts are recommended.