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

<p><span>Neuromuscular training is a training methodology used in sports to improve the physical performance of athletes.&nbsp; 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). &nbsp;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.</span></p>