The effect of FIFA 11+ training program on biomotor characteristics and body composition values of young football players

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of FIFA+11 training program on biomotor characteristics and body composition of young soccer players. A total of 36 male soccer players from U14 and U18 age groups voluntarily participated in the study. FIFA+11 program was applied to the participants for 14 weeks, three days a week. In the study, pretest-posttest control group model was used as experimental design. Height, body weight, flexibility, agility (T-Test), sprint (5, 20 and 30 meters) and aerobic capacity (VO2max) were measured. Data were summarized with descriptive statistics and normality of distribution was evaluated by Shapiro-Wilk test. In the analysis of the data, Paired T Test was used for normally distributed data and Wilcoxon test was used for non- normally distributed data. In the U14 experimental group, significant improvements were obtained in flexibility, agility, 20 m and 30 m sprint tests (p<0.05). It was observed that the T-Test averages decreased significantly, while there was no statistically significant change in the 5-meter sprint test. In the U18 control group, significant increases were observed in flexibility, agility, 20 m and 30 m sprint tests and VO2max values. The decrease in body mass index was not statistically significant. In conclusion, FIFA+11 program is effective in increasing flexibility, speed, agility and aerobic capacity of young soccer players. However, it is thought that the changes in body composition may become evident with longer-term applications.