Effect of Integrative Balance and Plyometric Training on Balance, Ankle Mobility, and Jump Performance in Youth Football Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Football players can improve their technical skills and reduce the risk of injury by enhancing their balance, which is supported by ankle mobility and explosive strength of the lower extremities. Aimed: To examine the effect of an eight-week integrative balance and plyometric training on static and dynamic balance, ankle active range of movements (ROM), shin muscle strength, and jumping performance in young football players. Methods: Thirty 15.8 ± 1.7 years old male players were randomly assigned to an intervention group (IG, n = 15) and a control group (CG, n = 15). Assessment included: 1) static balance (ellipse area, perimeter, and average anterior-posterior/medial-lateral movement speed, 2) dynamic balance (total stability index, and total trunk deviation angle), 3) active ankle plantar flexion (PF) and dorsiflexion (DF) range of movement (ROM), 4) peak isometric force, absolute and relative torque of ankle plantar and dorsal flexion, 5) countermovement jump (jump height, flight time and maximum ground reaction force). Results: IG significantly improved in static and dynamic balance by –12 to –30% (p = 0.001–0.04, d = 0.57–1.14), active ankle ROM in PF and DF by 12–32% (p = 0.001–0.02, d = 1.05–1.19), isometric shin muscle force, absolute and relative torques in PF and DF by 10–24% (p = 0.001–0.03,d = 0.48–1.31), and jump performance by 6–14% (p = 0.004–0.01, d = 0.82–1.27). No significant pre-to-post changes were observed in the CG, except for absolute and relative peak torque of DF by 10–19% (p = 0.01–0.02, d = 0.55–0.91), peak force DF in the dominant leg by 11% (p = 0.04, d = 0.71), and jump height by 5% (p = 0.008,d = 0.82). ANCOVA revealed significant interaction between groups in all balance variables, ankle ROM, and ankle force of PF in the dominant leg, the peak force and torque of DF in the dominant leg. Conclusions: Eight weeks of integrative balance and plyometric exercise effectively improve balance performance, ankle mobility, peak and explosive leg muscle strength in young football players. This intervention should be considered for inclusion in regular training to improve functional mobility in young footballers.