Isokinetic strength effects of FIFA's "the 11+" injury prevention training programme

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether FIFA's Medical Assessment and Research Centre (F-MARC) injury prevention programme, "The 11+", improves isokinetic strength of the knee extensor and flexor muscles in sub-elite soccer players. Twenty players aged 22.3 ± 4.2 yr performed "The 11+" 3 times a week for 10 weeks. Isokinetic measurements were performed on the hamstrings and quadriceps muscles on both lower extremities at concentric 60 and 180°/s and eccentric 30°/s. The peak torque (PT) as well as conventional and dynamic control ratios (DCR) were calculated. Hamstrings PT in the non-dominant limb increased by 14.6%, 15.0% and 14.3% during the above contractions/velocities, respectively (p< 0.05). In the dominant limb the concentric PT of the quadriceps increased by 6.9% (60°/s) and 8.3% (180°/s) whereas that of the hamstring increased by 20.4% (60°/s), (p< 0.05). The training programme significantly improved the conventional H/Q ratio at 60°/s by 14.8% and the DCR by 13.8% in the non-dominant limb (p< 0.05). Therefore, the "The 11+" training programme appears to be adequate and effective for soccer training and conditioning by improving strength and muscle balance around the knee joint.