The effect of neuromuscular exercises and foam rolling relaxation technique on some physical fitness parameters in football players

Aim: This study aims to investigate the effect of neuromuscular exercises combined with foam rolling relaxation technique on some physical fitness parameters in soccer players and its contribution to athlete performance. Materials and Methods: In the study, 30 athletes playing soccer at Onvo Antalyaspor club participated voluntarily. The participants were divided into two groups as exercise group (n=15) and control group (n=15) who practiced neuromuscular exercises and foam rolling relaxation technique. The athletes practiced neuromuscular exercises and foam rolling relaxation technique for 8 weeks, 3 days a week. Participants were tested for anthropometric characteristics and field tests such as flexibility, vertical jump, dynamic and static balance, range of motion and knee joint proprioception. Paired groups t test was used for statistical analysis and significance level was accepted as p<0.05. Results: According to the data analyses of the study, there was a statistically significant difference in body weight and body mass index in the anthropometric characteristics of the exercise group, while a statistically significant difference was determined only in body weight for the control group (p<0.05). In the field tests of the participants, there was a statistically significant difference in flexibility, vertical jump, dynamic and static balance, range of motion and knee joint proprioception measurement tests in the exercise group, while a statistically significant difference was found in the right lower extremity postlateral direction in dynamic balance and in certain parts of the range of motion test in the control group (p<0.05). When the data were analysed between both groups, it was found that there was no statistically significant difference in anthropometric characteristics (p>0.05), but there was a statistically significant difference in dynamic balance and range of motion (p<0.05). Conclusion: According to the findings, it was observed that the exercise group practicing neuromuscular exercises together with foam rolling relaxation technique showed improvement in sports performance.