Sport Sciences and Health Research

Sport Sciences and Health Research

The effect of the FIFA 11+ injury prevention program on youth soccer players performance (systematic review)

Document Type : Review Article

Authors
Fatemeh Moeini 1
Nima Tadbiri 1
Azam Ahmadi 1
Seyed Mohammad Hosseini 2
Kia Ranjbar 1
1 Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
2 Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
10.22059/sshr.2025.381377.1158
Abstract
Background: The FIFA 11+ program has been shown to be effective in improving physical fitness factors and preventing injuries in soccer players.
Aim: The purpose of this study was to review the effect of the FIFA 11+ injury prevention program on youth soccer players’ performance.
Materials and Methods: Relevant articles were searched in Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, PEDro, and Google Scholar using the keywords "FIFA 11+", "performance", and "youth". The search yielded 32 articles, of which 14 were shortlisted, and ultimately, four were selected for review.
Results: The reviewed articles have indicated that the FIFA 11+ program results in a significant improvement in various performance factors (P < 0.05). These studies demonstrated that the FIFA 11+ program enhances stability, knee flexor muscle strength, sprint performance, agility, Slalom Dribbling, and flexibility. However, no significant improvements were observed in long jump, vertical jump, VO2max, balance, and lower extremity range of motion.
Conclusion: Studies suggest that the FIFA 11+ warm-up program is more effective than conventional warm-ups in enhancing performance. Therefore, based on the literature reviewed, the FIFA 11+ program is recommended to enhance muscle strength, flexibility, and agility, thereby reducing injury risk in youth football players.
Keywords
FIFA 11+
performance
youth
Injury prevention
Football

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Sport Sciences and Health Research
Volume 17, Issue 1
January 2025
Pages 137-152