Effects of a novel neuromuscular training intervention on jump, sprint and change of direction in adult female soccer players

Neuromuscular training is a training methodology used in sports to improve the physical performance of athletes.  Soccer has physical demands of power and speed, so players need to develop sprinting, changing direction and jumping skills. According to these objectives, a novel neuromuscular training protocol is developed to improve physical performance in the variables of jumping, speed and change of direction in adult female soccer players. A protocol was based on mobility exercises, stability, anterior chain strength, lumbo-pelvic control, posterior chain strength and change of direction ability. Thirty-four female soccer players were randomly divided into control group (CG, n=17) and experimental group (EG, n=17) during 10 weeks of intervention. Experimental group improved bilateral and unilateral jumping ability (p=0.05; ES= 0.83 to 1.35), peak speed (p=0.05; ES=0.96) and 180COD in the intergroup analysis (p=0.05; ES=-1.29 to -1.39). Novel variables such as bilateral deficit and change of direction deficit showed significant improvements in the experimental group (p=0.05).  In conclusion, the novel neuromuscular training program which included weekly progressions, unilateral and bilateral exercises, showed significant improvements in the physical performance of adult female soccer players.