• E-ISSN 2583-6056
  • Follow us

International Journal of Physiotherapy Research and Clinical Practice

Article

Competence of Neuromuscular Training on Agility, Hamstring Flexibility, Anaerobic Capacity and Plantar Flexor Endurance among Recreational Football Players
  • VIEWS 11
  • PDF 2

International Journal of Physiotherapy Research and Clinical Practice

DOI: 10.54839/ijprcp.v2i3.dinesh

Year: 2023, Volume: 2, Issue: 3, Pages: 5-8

Original Article

Competence of Neuromuscular Training on Agility, Hamstring Flexibility, Anaerobic Capacity and Plantar Flexor Endurance among Recreational Football Players

D Dinesh1, Samuel Paul Isaac1,∗

1Krupanidhi College of Physiotherapy, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

Objectives: Hamstring flexibility, agility, anaerobic capacity, and plantar flexor endurance are vital factors for football performance. Neuromuscular training has been shown to positively affect these physical parameters. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a neuromuscular training program on hamstring flexibility, agility, anaerobic capacity, and plantar flexor endurance in college-level recreational football players at the Krupanidhi Institution. Methods: A quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-test assessments was used in this study. Sixty-six male football players aged 18-25 years participated in a training program involving eccentric hamstring exercises, plyometrics, sprinting, and flexibility exercises performed three times per week. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included the Modified Illinois Change of Direction Test (MICODT), Active Knee Extension (AKE), Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST), and Heel Raise Test (HRT). Findings : Significant improvements were observed in all tests (p ≤ 0.001). RAST scores increased from 2625.69 ± 425.45 to 2702.21 ± 435.02, HRT improved from 25.04 ± 4.05 to 27.90 ± 3.78, and MICODT decreased from 16.29 ± 1.30 to 15.15 ± 1.09. The AKE results showed significant reductions, indicating improved hamstring flexibility and strength. Novelty: This study highlights the effectiveness of neuromuscular training in improving multiple physical performance parameters, including hamstring flexibility, anaerobic capacity, and plantar flexor endurance in recreational football players.

Keywords: Neuromuscular training, Hamstring flexibility, Agility, Anaerobic capacity, Plantar flexor endurance

References

  1. García-Pinillos F, Ruiz-Ariza A, Castillo RMd, Latorre-Román PÁ. Impact of limited hamstring flexibility on vertical jump, kicking speed, sprint, and agility in young football players. Journal of Sports Sciences. 2015;33(12):1293–1297. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2015.1022577
  2. Rey E, Padrón-Cabo A, Barcala-Furelos R, Mecías-Calvo M. Effect of High and Low Flexibility Levels on Physical Fitness and Neuromuscular Properties in Professional Soccer Players. International Journal of Sports Medicine. 2016;37(11):878–883. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-109268
  3. Cometti G, Maffiuletti NA, Pousson M, Chatard JC, Maffulli N. Isokinetic Strength and Anaerobic Power of Elite, Subelite and Amateur French Soccer Players. International Journal of Sports Medicine. 2001;22(1):45–51. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-2001-11331
  4. Cant JV, Pitance L, Feipel V. Hip abductor, trunk extensor and ankle plantar flexor endurance in females with and without patellofemoral pain. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation. 2017;30(2):299–307. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.3233/bmr-150505
  5. Madeley LT, Munteanu SE, Bonanno DR. Endurance of the ankle joint plantar flexor muscles in athletes with medial tibial stress syndrome: A case-control study. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 2007;10(6):356–362. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2006.12.115
  6. Mendiguchia J, Martinez‐Ruiz E, Morin JB, Samozino P, Edouard P, Alcaraz PE, et al. Effects of hamstring‐emphasized neuromuscular training on strength and sprinting mechanics in football players. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. 2015;25(6):621–629. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/sms.12388
  7. Lovell R, Siegler JC, Knox M, Brennan S, Marshall PWM. Acute neuromuscular and performance responses to Nordic hamstring exercises completed before or after football training. Journal of Sports Sciences. 2016;34(24):2286–2294. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2016.1191661
  8. Jakobsen MD, Sundstrup E, Randers MB, Kjær M, Andersen LL, Krustrup P, et al. The effect of strength training, recreational soccer and running exercise on stretch–shortening cycle muscle performance during countermovement jumping. Human Movement Science. 2012;31(4):970–986. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2011.10.001
  9. Álvarez-Serrano C, Alfaro-Segovia J, Guzmán-Muñoz E, MAR. Neuromuscular Training in Football: A Literature Review. Journal of Novel Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. 2023;7:39–47. Available from: https://doi.org/10.29328/journal.jnpr.1001055
  10. Ling DI, Janosky J, Schneider B, Russomano J, Boyle C, Kinderknecht J, et al. A Controlled Trial of the Effects of Neuromuscular Training on Physical Performance in Male and Female High School Athletes. Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach. 2023;15(3):386–396. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/19417381221089917
  13. Subburam A. Effect of Neurodynamic Sliding and Dynamic Range of Motion Training on the Flexibility of Hamstring Muscle: A Comparative Study . College of Physiotherapy, Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Paramedical Sciences, Coimbatore thesis

Copyright

@ 2023 Published by Krupanidhi College of Physiotherapy. This is an open-access article under the CC BY license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

  • 07 November 2025

Year: 2023, Volume: 2, Issue: 3


More articles

DON'T MISS OUT!

Subscribe now for latest articles and news.