Five-week sensory motor training program improves functional performance and postural control in young male soccer players – A blind randomized clinical trial

• The training program improves functional performance in young soccer players.
• Football movements were used in the sensory motor training.
• Low-cost equipment can be used in the sensory motor training program.
• This sensory motor training has easy clinical application and reproducibility.

Sensory motor training programs are used in the rehabilitation and prevention of injuries among soccer players. Inconsistencies are found in the literature regarding the duration of the protocols and the exercises and equipment used.ObjectiveTo evaluate the benefits of a five-week sensory motor training program on the functional performance and postural control of young soccer players.MethodsThe study sample comprised 22 young male soccer players who were evaluated using: the Figure-of-Eight Test (F8), Side Hop Test (SHT), Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), and a force platform. The players were randomly divided into a control group (N = 10), who continued their soccer practice sessions and an intervention group (N = 12), who continued their soccer practice sessions and were also enrolled in a supervised five-week sensory motor training program.ResultsAfter the five-week training program, the intervention group obtained significant results in the F8, SHT and SEBT, as well as in the following parameters: area of pressure of sway center (COP), mean velocity and mean frequency of COP.ConclusionThe five-week sensory motor training program, carried out with easily available and low cost equipment, was effective at improving functional performance and postural control in young soccer players.