Abstract:

There are various training programs to improve sportive performance so that soccer-specific technical skills can be realized more easily. The aim of the study is to examine the effect of the training program that including eccentric and concentric contractions on strength, balance and agility in young soccer players. 26 male soccer players (age:12±1.6years) who played in an amateur sport club participated voluntarily to the study. Pre-tests were taken before the training program. There were two groups of athletes the experimental group (EG n=13) were applied exercises that including eccentric and concentric contractions while Control Group players (CG n=13) continued their traditional soccer trainings. The post-tests were taken at the end of the 8-week training program. Pre- and post-test included flamingo balance test (FB), y balance test (YB), standing long jump test (SLJ), vertical jump test (VJ) and Illinois test (IT). When the obtained data were examined, EG athletes were statistically improved in all the parameters in the pre-, and post-test (p<0.05) and no statistically significant difference was seen in the CG athletes (p>0.05). When the differences between the groups were examined, it was statistically significant in the y balance test (p<0.05 p=0.032) and Illinois test (p<0.05 p=0.022) parameters for respectively determining the dynamic balance and agility of EG athletes compared to CG athletes (p<0.05). As a conclusion, eccentric and concentric contraction exercises performed before soccer specific training programs seem to be effective on dynamic balance and agility. It is also thought that such training programs could improve the performance of the athletes, and prevent them from lower extremity injuries.

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