The Effects of FIFA 11+ for Referees Comprehensive Warm-up Program on the Strength of Core Stability Muscles in Iranian Football Referees

Authors

1 1. Ph.D, Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Alborz Campus of Tehran University, Iran

2 Professor, Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences Tehran University, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Sport Medicine, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University, Iran

Abstract

 Abstract
Background:
The core stability muscles play a crucial role both in terms of the optimal performance of athletic skills and in terms of prevention of lower-limp injuries.  Considering the shortage of information about the effects of FIFA's 11+ referees' program on the strength of the core stability muscles, the authors of the present study have made an effort to investigate  the effects of FIFA's 11+ warm-up program for referees on the isometric strength of the core stability muscles of  male Iranian football referees and assistant referees.
Methodology:
To this end, 52 football referees and assistant referees (average age: 27.59±3.70 years for referees and 27.54±3.85 years for assistant referees) who volunteered for the study, were randomly assigned to the either of the experimental or control groups. The experimental group participated in the referees' 11+ program for 17 weeks while the control group used conventional trainings for warming-up during the half season. A digital handheld dynamometer was used both in pretest and posttest stages in order to measure the isometric strength of the core stability muscles. Data analysis was performed through the statistical test of variance analysis.
Results:
Results indicated that the posttest isometric strength scores of the core stability muscles of referees assigned to the experimental and control group differed statistically significant in terms of the extensor (referee: F=7.92, P=0.010 - assistant referee: F=4.39, P=0.048); flexor and rotator (referee: F=4.64, P=0.042 - assistant referee: F=8.69, P=0.007) and; the stabilizer muscles of the lateral trunk (referee: F=6.61, P=0.001 - assistant referee: F=8.52, P=0.008). In addition the former and latter groups had significant differences in terms of the overall isometric strength of the core stability muscles (F=31.34, P=0.001 - assistant referee: F=43.50, P=0.001).
Conclusion:
According to the findings of the present study, in comparison to the conventional warm-up training, the FIFA's 11+ referees' comprehensive warm-up program can significantly improve the strength of the core stability muscles of referees and assistant referees. Therefore referees and assistant referees are recommended to use the mentioned training program instead of conventional trainings in order to maintain optimal core stability during arbitration in addition to subsequent reduce of probability of injuries.

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