[Fast Response Training in Youth Soccer Players].

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Soccer is associated with a high incidence of knee and ankle injuries.
• Current prevention programs have not significantly reduced severe knee injuries.
• Re-evaluation of diagnostic and training strategies is necessary.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a novel intervention strategy using fast response training on the SpeedCourt.
• To assess the efficacy of this training method in youth soccer athletes.

Main Methods:

• 24 male youth soccer athletes (mean age 18.0 years) participated.
• A 7-week training program included one weekly session of SpeedCourt training.
• Training involved warm-up and 30 minutes of fast response exercises.
• Performance was assessed using Counter Movement Jump, shuttle run, tapping, and sprint tests before and after training.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in all tested parameters (η(2) > 0.10).
• Reaction time and ground contact time showed notable changes (η(2) = 0.730 and η(2) = 0.106, respectively).
• Lower extremity injury rates decreased by approximately 50% during the study period.

Conclusions:

• Fast response training on the SpeedCourt system enhances speed and speed-strength performance in young soccer players.
• The observed performance improvements were achieved with a low training frequency (one session/week).
• The training intervention was associated with a significant reduction in injury rates.