Effect of proprioceptive trainings on shot quality and selected performance

In the study, the effect of proprioceptive training, an effective training method for achieving adequate neuromuscular control, on shot quality and selected performance parameters in male football players was examined. The study group consisted of 16 male football players who were students at Hakkari University Faculty of Sports Sciences and members of the Hakkari University football team. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design was employed. After obtaining the pretest scores, the participants were divided into two groups: the proprioceptive training group (PTG) and the control group (CG), each consisting of eight players (nPTG=8, nCG=8). While both groups continued their regular football training, the PTG underwent an additional proprioceptive training program for eight weeks. The effects of proprioceptive training on shooting quality, vertical jump, Illinois agility test, and 30m sprint test scores were analyzed. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 25.0. According to the within-group Wilcoxon test results, significant differences were observed in the vertical jump and agility parameters within the CG (p<0.05). In the PTG, significant differences were found in vertical jump, sprint, agility, and shot speed parameters (p<0.05). The Mann-Whitney U test results revealed significant differences between the PTG and CG. In the proprioceptive training group, significant improvements were observed in vertical jump, sprint, agility, shot speed, shot accuracy, and shooting quality parameters (p<0.05). In conclusion, proprioceptive training, when applied in addition to football training, was observed to enhance motor performance in amateur football players. Furthermore, these findings indicate that proprioceptive training serves as an alternative training method for improving motor performance and skill development. Keywords: Proprioceptive, football, training, performance