Neuromuscular control optimization and injury risk attenuation in football players

Purpose. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of Speed, Agility, and Quickness (SAQ) Training and Functional Rehabilitation (FR) on Neuromuscular Control and Injury Risk of Football Players. Materials & Methods. This study included thirty male football players aged 18-25 years from SRM Institute of Science and Technology and they were randomly divided into two equal groups; Functional Rehabilitation Group (n=15) and SAQ Group (n=15). The intervention lasted 12 weeks, with training sessions conducted three times per week. Neuromuscular control was assessed using the Y-balance Test, whereas Injury risk was measured via the Functional Movement Screen (FMS). Data were analysed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), with pre-test scores included as covariates. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results. The results show that both groups have gained significantly after the intervention. The SAQ group has exhibited higher gain in neuromuscular control where the Y-balance score increased from 82.10±3.15 to 91.84±2.76 whereas in the Functional Rehabilitation group it increased from 82.45±3.21 to 87.92±3.05. On the other hand, the Functional Rehabilitation group demonstrated a greater improvement in FMS scores from 13.20±1.10 to 16.75±1.18 when compared to the SAQ group which gained only from 13.35±1.05 to 15.32±1.26. The results show that there were significant differences between the two groups where the group effect was significant (F=6.21, p=0.019, ηp²= 0.19) in Y-balance scores and (F=5.63, p=0.024, ηp²=0.17) in FMS scores. Conclusions. Both SAQ training and Functional Rehabilitation were found to be efficient ways of improving neuromuscular control and decreasing injury risk. SAQ training produced greater improvements in neuromuscular control, whereas Functional Rehabilitation produced greater improvements in FMS scores. The combination of both programs would likely be optimal for football players.