Next Article in Journal
Evaluation Method for Virtual Museum Interface Integrating Layout Aesthetics and Visual Cognitive Characteristics Based on Improved Gray H-Convex Correlation Model
Previous Article in Journal
Voltage Problems on Farms with Agricultural Biogas Plants—A Case Study
Previous Article in Special Issue
Viability of 2D Swimming Kinematical Analysis Using a Single Moving Camera
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Applied Sciences
Volume 14
Issue 16
10.3390/app14167004
applsci-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles thumb_up
...
Endorse textsms
...
Comment
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Effect of 24-Week FIFA 11+ Referees Program on Quality of Change of Direction Maneuver in Elite Soccer Referees

by
Mohammad Alimoradi
1,
Elham Hosseini
1,
Mojtaba Iranmanesh
1,
Omid Monfaredian
2 and
Žiga Kozinc
3,*
1
Department of Sports Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Shahid Bahonar Kerman, Kerman 76169-14111, Iran
2
Department of Sports Biomechanics, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Shahid Bahonar Kerman, Kerman 76169-14111, Iran
3
Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, 6310 Izola, Slovenia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(16), 7004; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14167004
Submission received: 24 June 2024 / Revised: 8 August 2024 / Accepted: 9 August 2024 / Published: 9 August 2024
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Sports Performance Analysis)
Browse Figures
Versions Notes

Abstract

:
Soccer referees are at risk of injury due to the physical demands of their role. This study evaluated the impact of the 24-week FIFA 11+ Referees training program on the quality of change of direction (COD) maneuvers in elite soccer referees. Eighty-one male referees were randomly assigned to either the 11+ referee group (n = 40) or a control group (n = 41). The intervention group replaced their usual warm-up routines with the FIFA 11+ program, while the control group continued their standard training. Both groups were assessed using the cutting movement assessment score (CMAS) before and after the intervention. The results demonstrated significant improvements in CMAS scores for the 11+ referee group at all tested angles (45°, 70°, and 90°), with the most notable improvements observed at 90° angles. These findings indicate that the FIFA 11+ Referees program enhances COD maneuver quality, which is critical for injury prevention. Implementing this program may therefore improve movement quality and reduce injury risks among soccer referees. Further research should explore the program’s long-term efficacy and applicability across different populations and injury factors.

1. Introduction

Due to their physical activity levels and a number of other characteristics, including age, competitive level, and sex, soccer referees and assistant referees are exposed to injury [1,2]. Thigh, ankle, knee, and lower back injuries are most common in soccer referees [2,3]. Referees in soccer undergo routine physical evaluations similar to players, covering distances of 9–13 km per match. High-intensity running spans 4–18% of the match, and elite referees make more than 130 decisions while changing their activity around 1270 times during a game [4]. Thus, implementing preventive measures is essential to safeguard their well-being [1,5,6,7,8,9].
In 2013, the FIFA refereeing department collaborated with the Medical and Research Centre (F-MARC) to create the FIFA 11+ Referees Injury Prevention Program. This program was created specifically to address the injury profile of referees and includes a full warm-up exercise aimed at improving muscular strength, body awareness, and neuromuscular control [1]. The primary distinction between the standard FIFA 11+ and the referee-specific version lies in the intensity and volume of the exercises. Both protocols adhere to the same foundational principles; however, the referee-specific variant has been tailored to address the unique demands placed on referees and to mitigate the risk of knee injuries in this population [1]. One of the frequently performed movements in soccer is the change of direction maneuver (COD), which, if not executed with optimal neuromuscular control system (NMS), can increase the risk of lower extremity injuries [10]. In soccer, the nature of the game involves high-intensity intermittent activity lasting for 90 min. Poor movement patterns during play can increase the likelihood of injury [11,12]. The prevalence of sports injuries among soccer referees has highlighted the importance of utilizing pre-participation screening tools [2,5,6,13,14]. These tools aim to enhance physical performance abilities, ultimately reducing the risk of injuries [13,14]. One of the screening tools used in field sports is the cutting movement assessment score (CMAS), which was initially introduced in 2017 and is aimed at screening COD maneuver quality [15]. The cutting movement assessment score (CMAS) is a qualitative method for analyzing movement quality during side-step cutting maneuvers. Using two or three cameras, the tool assesses nine postural and technical factors linked to excessive knee abduction moments. The total CMAS score correlates with the magnitude of peak knee abduction moments measured by advanced 3D motion analysis. It can differentiate between safe and risky cutting techniques and measure the effectiveness of movement correction programs [16].
Previous studies have demonstrated that injury prevention programs designed by FIFA have been effective in enhancing movement quality in soccer athletes of different ages and genders [17,18]. For instance, a 65% injury reduction in referees was reported following the FIFA 11+ program, highlighting its effectiveness [1]. This study aimed to assess the impact of the 24-week FIFA 11+ Referees program on CMAS scores, hypothesizing improved scores and enhanced COD maneuver quality.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Participants

The study employed a randomized controlled trial design with 81 healthy male soccer referees. The sample size was determined using G*Power software (Version 3.1.9.4) (α = 0.05, ES = 0.57) with a statistical power of 0.8, requiring a minimum of 78 participants. The primary outcome measure assessed in this study was the CMAS scores. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups (Figure 1): 11+ referee (n = 40) and control (n = 41). Inclusion criteria involved no history of lower limb injury in the last 6 months, at least 3 years of refereeing experience, and regular training. Participants provided informed consent, and the study was authorized by the University of Shiraz, Iran (IR.US.PSYEDU.REC.1402.081) and registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20230612058457N2).

2.2. Procedures

After completing consent forms and demographic information, participants were randomly assigned to either the 11+ or control group. The 11+ group received instructions and materials for the FIFA 11+ Referees program to replace their usual warm-up routines. Both groups recorded their training activities daily, with the 11+ group noting the program usage time. Researchers observed 11+ group sessions over 24 weeks to confirm the program adherence.
In the pre-test, all the participants performed the COD test in an unanticipated situation (participants distinguish the COD direction according to the direction of the pass ball of the assessor) at three different angles (45, 70, and 90 degrees) (Figure 2). Prior to initiating the COD testing test, the participants completed a 20 m sprint test to assess their maximum speed. The time taken to finish this test was recorded using the Smartspeed timing gate system (Fusion Sport, Coolum Beach, Queensland, Australia). If the participant’s speed from the starting point (the first speed gate) to both endpoints (additional speed gates located 5 m from the cutting zone, one at the end of the right direction and the other at the end of the left direction) was less than 60% of their maximum speed during the test, the COD test was conducted again. In this study, the participants performed the COD test under unanticipated conditions, as it has been demonstrated that executing movement patterns like COD affects several biomechanical variables linked to increased lower limb injury risk [19]. The participants were instructed to react by moving to either their dominant or non-dominant leg (identified by their preferred kicking leg) at a designated cutting zone based on the direction of a moving ball [20]. A consistent researcher throughout the study kicked the ball toward two cones arranged as a mini goal within a predefined area. This event occurred immediately after the participant initiated acceleration from the starting gate [21]. The test was conducted three times for each leg direction across the three specified angles. Furthermore, the participants performed the COD in an unanticipated condition in a random sequence, totaling 18 trials. Movement quality was assessed through video analysis using Kinovea software (version 0.8.15 for Windows, Bordeaux, France). To record all the COD trials for subsequent screening, three cameras (GoPro Hero 9, GoPro, Inc., San Mateo, California, US) were mounted on tripods and positioned 5 m away in the sagittal plane and 3 m away in the frontal plane at a height of 0.6 m. The videos were captured at a frame rate of 120 frames per second (as shown in Figure 1). Prior to the testing phase, each participant was provided with a demonstration of COD and given the opportunity to perform three trial tests in order to become familiarized with the actual procedures. Following the completion of the tests, the recorded videos were evaluated using the cutting movement assessment score (CMAS) [15]. All the participants underwent a post-test 72 h after the 24-week research period. Two experienced evaluators independently scored each video based on the CMAS. A consensus between the evaluators determined the final scores.

2.3. Cutting Movement Assessment Score (CMAS)

The CMAS, established in 2017, assesses 9 items to evaluate hip, knee, foot, and trunk postures during COD (see Table 1). Athletes are recorded by high-speed cameras (≥100 Hz) at angles of 30 to 90 degrees. Video footage is retrospectively analyzed, and scores are based on adherence to CMAS criteria. Higher scores imply increased injury risk [15].

2.4. FIFA 11+ Referees Program

The FIFA 11+ Referees program, tailored for soccer referees, draws from injury data analysis. Comprising 18 exercises, it is divided into running drills (Part 1), strength and agility exercises (Part 2), and additional running drills (Part 3). With exercises targeting core stability, neuromuscular control, and balance, the program takes about 20 min to complete. Key components include eccentric hamstring exercises, plyometrics, and agility drills [22].

2.5. Statistical Analysis

The statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics, including means and standard deviations, were reported. Due to violations in normal distribution assumptions in all the COD variables (Shapiro–Wilk tests, p < 0.05), a non-parametric approach was adopted to evaluate intra-group and inter-group differences. To assess the interaction effect commonly calculated with a two-way analysis of variance, we first calculated the pre-post changes for each parameter. Then, the magnitude of the change was compared between the groups using the Mann–Whitney U test. Within-group differences were examined using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Additionally, the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability were evaluated using ICC values (absolute agreement, two-way mixed model for single measures). ICC results below 0.50 are considered poor, values between 0.50 and 0.75 are regarded as moderate, values from 0.75 to 0.90 are deemed good, and values exceeding 0.90 are classified as excellent. In addition, 95% confidence intervals were calculated to highlight the certainty of the reliability statistics. For inter-rater reliability, assessments of each video were conducted by two raters (i.e., each rater independently evaluated the videos in a sample of 50 participants). To assess intra-rater reliability, each rater assessed the same set of 20 videos three times, with 4 days between assessments. Significance was set at p < 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval.

3. Results

A total of 81 healthy male soccer referees participated in the study, with the aim of investigating the effects of 24-week the FIFA 11+ Referees training program on CMAS scores. The results of the independent t-test (Table 2) show that no significant difference was found among age, weight, height, BMI, and experience values between the groups (p > 0.05). The ICC obtained for inter-rater reliability was 0.82 (95% CI 0.70–0.89), indicating good agreement between the raters. Similarly, the ICC obtained for intra-rater reliability was 0.78 (95% CI 0.76–0.80), indicating good agreement within raters.
The results of the COD tests are presented in Table 3. The Mann–Whitney test revealed differences between the groups in all the variables (p < 0.001), with the 11+ group showing a statistically significantly larger decline in COD times from pre- to post-intervention. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was conducted within each group to examine the pre-post differences in the COD maneuvers. The results revealed significant improvements in the 11+ group’s post-test scores for COD 45° (dominant: p = 0.001; non-dominant: p = 0.001), COD 70° (dominant: p = 0.001; non-dominant: p = 0.001), and COD 90° (dominant: p = 0.001; non-dominant: p = 0.001). In the control group, no significant differences were found between the pre- and post-test measures for COD 45° (dominant: p = 1.00; non-dominant: p = 0.439), COD 70° (dominant: p = 0.782; non-dominant: p = 0.083), and COD 90° (dominant: p = 1.00; non-dominant: p = 0.366). Additionally, a comparison was made between the dominant and non-dominant legs within each group. Significant differences were observed for both the 11+ and control groups in their pre-post differences for COD 45° (dominant: p = 0.008; non-dominant: p = 0.001), COD 70° (dominant: p = 0.001; non-dominant: p = 0.001), and COD 90° (dominant: p = 0.005; non-dominant: p = 0.001).

4. Discussion

The study evaluated how the 24-week FIFA 11+ Referees program influenced elite soccer referees’ cutting maneuver quality, using the cutting movement assessment score (CMAS). The results indicated an improvement in the quality of movement based on CMAS criteria, particularly at 90° cutting angles, in the post-test between the FIFA 11+ and control group. This finding aligns with prior research demonstrating the effectiveness of FIFA 11+ programs in enhancing movement quality and reducing injury risks [18]. This underscores the program’s focus on core stability, neuromuscular control, and COD exercises [18,23]. The FIFA 11+ Referees program includes a comprehensive set of exercises targeting strength, neuromuscular control, and COD ability, which are essential for improving physical attributes necessary for optimal performance and injury prevention in referees. Referees frequently perform high-intensity runs and directional changes, placing significant demands on their posterior muscle chain, knees, and ankles. Enhanced muscle strength, particularly in the core, lower limbs, and posterior chain, provides a solid foundation for stability and power. Stronger muscles are better equipped to absorb forces associated with rapid direction changes and high-intensity running, reducing the risk of muscle strains and joint injuries [17]. Improving neuromuscular control is a central objective of the FIFA 11+ Referees program. Neuromuscular control refers to the nervous system’s ability to efficiently coordinate muscle activity during movement. The program’s exercises emphasize proprioception and motor control, vital for maintaining balance and executing precise movements. Enhanced neuromuscular control reduces the likelihood of improper movement patterns that can lead to injuries [18]. COD training in the FIFA 11+ Referees program focuses on improving the ability to change direction quickly and efficiently while maintaining proper form. COD exercises enhance dynamic balance, reaction time, and the ability to control the body during rapid movements [24]. These improvements are particularly important for referees, who frequently perform high-intensity runs and sudden changes of direction during matches. Better COD ability ensures that referees can perform these movements with greater precision and less risk of injury.
The literature indicates that referees, who are often subjected to muscle injuries, experience higher pressure during competitions than in training [25]. Injuries commonly occur in non-dominant limbs, with quadriceps, triceps, and knee injuries being prevalent [25,26]. Referees’ activities involve moderate to high-intensity runs and directional changes, demanding significant knee and ankle usage and posterior muscle chain engagement. Additionally, referees’ unique movement patterns, such as back-and-forth runs, increase energy expenditure and muscle activity [2,6]. Factors like anthropometry, strength, biomechanics, proprioception, and psychology influence injury risks, highlighting the importance of multifactorial training protocols [26]. Programs like the FIFA 11+ improve muscle strength and proprioception and may reduce injury incidence [27,28]. Dos’Santos et al. suggested that cutting movements (CODs) and repetitive and high-speed maneuvers can cause injury due to biomechanical and neuromuscular control deficits [15]. High-risk deficits include wide lateral foot plant distances, hip abduction angles, and increased knee valgus. Addressing these through coaching and feedback is crucial for injury prevention [15,26]. Moreover, researchers suggested focusing injury prevention protocols on executing quality COD maneuvers at sharp angles, especially in the non-dominant limb [29].
Other studies corroborate the benefits of FIFA 11+ in enhancing neuromuscular control and joint stability, modifying trunk and hip muscle activation [30,31]. Additionally, a study in 2017 found significant differences between control and intervention groups in dynamic balance, particularly in the anterior and posteromedial directions [22]. In addition, another study in 2021 showed substantial progress in female soccer players’ ability to reduce jumping and landing errors after 16 weeks of FIFA 11+ training [18]. According to these findings, this procedure decreases the risk of kinematic and kinetic factors during players’ jumping and landing. This indicates that the FIFA 11+ comprehensive warm-up program might improve the dynamic balance of football referees. Greater awareness and engagement in the FIFA 11+ Referees program could additionally aid in reducing injuries [32]. Seyedi et al. observed enhancements in knee valgus and joint position sense (JPS) among adolescent soccer players post-FIFA 11+ program, suggesting incorporating lower extremity alignment training to enhance joint kinematics [33]. Overall, the literature in this field, in line with the present results, shows that performing FIFA 11+ Referees’ protocols may improve the quality of COD maneuvers and may help prevent lower limb injury in this group.

4.1. Limitations

However, it is essential to acknowledge the limitations of our study. While our sample size was adequate for our analyses, factors such as internal validity, particularly blinding of investigators, could be addressed in future research to enhance causal inference. Our sample was composed only of males, and these results should be tested in future research on female referees, or other team sports where the referee needs to keep up with play, to increase the external validity of this study. Additionally, our study design did not involve direct coaching of the referees; we only observed their performance. This lack of direct intervention could be considered a limitation, as the presence of coaching might have influenced the results by providing immediate feedback and correction of movement patterns, potentially enhancing the program’s effectiveness. Future studies should consider incorporating coaching elements to determine their impact on the efficacy of the FIFA 11+ Referees Program.

4.2. Clinical Implications and Future Research

Our study highlights the clinical benefits of programs like the FIFA 11+ Referees in reducing injury risks. Integrating them into training protocols can safeguard referees’ well-being during matches by improving movement quality.
Future research should assess the long-term effectiveness and scalability of referee injury prevention programs. These avenues can optimize referees’ health and performance.

5. Conclusions

The study examines the impact of 24 weeks of FIFA 11+ Referees training on the quality of COD maneuvers and CAM scores in healthy male football referees. The results indicated a significant difference between the 11+ group and the control group in terms of COD maneuver quality and CAMS score at post-testing. This suggests that performing FIFA 11+ Referees training may improve the quality of COD maneuvers and may contribute to injury prevention in this group.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization: M.A. and E.H.; methodology: M.A. and E.H.; software: M.I.; validation: M.A., E.H., and Ž.K.; formal analysis: M.A. and M.I.; investigation: M.A.; resources: O.M.; data curation: M.A. and M.I.; writing—original draft preparation: all authors; writing—review and editing: all authors; visualization: O.M.; supervision: Ž.K.; project administration: M.A. and E.H. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

The protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Shiraz, Iran (IR.US.PSYEDU.REC.1402.081).

Informed Consent Statement

Informed consent was obtained from all the subjects involved in the study.

Data Availability Statement

The data that supports the findings of this study are available in the Zenodo data repository [34].

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

  1. Al Attar, W.S.A.; Bizzini, M.; Alkabkabi, F.; Alshamrani, N.; Alarifi, S.; Alzahrani, H.; Ghulam, H.; Aljedaani, E.; Sanders, R.H. Effectiveness of the FIFA 11+ Referees Injury Prevention Program in Reducing Injury Rates in Male Amateur Soccer Referees. Scand. J. Med. Sci. Sports 2021, 31, 1774–1781. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  2. Bizzini, M.; Junge, A.; Bahr, R.; Dvorak, J. Injuries of Football Referees: A Representative Survey of Swiss Referees Officiating at All Levels of Play. Scand. J. Med. Sci. Sports 2011, 21, 42–47. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  3. Bizzini, M.; Junge, A.; Bahr, R.; Dvorak, J. Female Soccer Referees Selected for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2007: Survey of Injuries and Musculoskeletal Problems. Br. J. Sports Med. 2009, 43, 936–942. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  4. Weston, M.; Drust, B.; Gregson, W. Intensities of Exercise during Match-Play in FA Premier League Referees and Players. J. Sports Sci. 2011, 29, 527–532. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  5. Gabrilo, G.; Ostojic, M.; Idrizovic, K.; Novosel, B.; Sekulic, D. A Retrospective Survey on Injuries in Croatian Football/Soccer Referees. BMC Musculoskelet. Disord. 2013, 14, 88. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  6. Vieira, P.R.; Alonso, A.C.; Ingham, S.J.M.; Oliveira, A.S.B.; Schmidt, B.; Fallopa, F. Incidence of Musculuskeletal Injuries in Soccer Referess: A Three-Year Study. Rev. Bras. Med. Esporte 2019, 25, 258–262. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  7. Castagna, C.; Abt, G.; D’Ottavio, S. Activity Profile of International-Level Soccer Referees during Competitive Matches. J. Strength Cond. Res. 2004, 18, 486–490. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  8. Castagna, C.; Abt, G. Intermatch Variation of Match Activity in Elite Italian Soccer Referees. J. Strength Cond. Res. 2003, 17, 388–392. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  9. Castagna, C.; Abt, G.; D’Ottavio, S. Physiological Aspects of Soccer Refereeing Performance and Training. Sports Med. 2007, 37, 625–646. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  10. Norte, G.E.; Frendt, T.R.; Murray, A.M.; Armstrong, C.W.; McLoughlin, T.J.; Donovan, L.T. Influence of Anticipation and Motor-Motor Task Performance on Cutting Biomechanics in Healthy Men. J. Athl. Train. 2020, 55, 834–842. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  11. Arslan, S.; Ertat, K.A.; Karamizrak, S.O.; İŞleğen, Ç.; Arslan, T. Soccer Match Induced Fatigue Effect on Landing Biomechanic and Neuromuscular Performance. Acta Medica Mediterr 2019, 35, 391–397. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  12. Warren, M.; Lininger, M.; Chimera, N.; Smith, C. Utility of FMS to Understand Injury Incidence in Sports: Current Perspectives. Open Access J. Sports Med. 2018, 9, 171–182. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  13. Chorba, R.S.; Chorba, D.J.; Bouillon, L.E.; Overmyer, C.A.; Landis, J.A. Use of a Functional Movement Screening Tool to Determine Injury Risk in Female Collegiate Athletes. N. Am. J. Sports Phys. Ther. 2010, 5, 47–54. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
  14. Shojaedin, S.S.; Letafatkar, A.; Hadadnezhad, M.; Dehkhoda, M.R. Relationship between Functional Movement Screening Score and History of Injury and Identifying the Predictive Value of the FMS for Injury. Int. J. Inj. Contr. Saf. Promot. 2014, 21, 355–360. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  15. Dos’Santos, T.; Thomas, C.; McBurnie, A.; Donelon, T.; Herrington, L.; Jones, P.A. The Cutting Movement Assessment Score (CMAS) Qualitative Screening Tool: Application to Mitigate Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Risk during Cutting. Biomechanics 2021, 1, 83–101. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  16. Jones, P.A.; Rai, A.; Dos’Santos, T.; Herrington, L.C. Inter-Professional and Methodological Agreement in Using the Cutting Movement Assessment Score (CMAS). Biomechanics 2023, 3, 181–192. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  17. Alimoradi, M.; Daneshjoo, A.; Sahebozamani, M.; Noorian, S. The Effect of 11+Kids Program on the Scores of Musculoskeletal Screening Tests. Sport Sci. Health Res. 2021, 13, 115–126. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  18. Alimoradi, M.; Sahebozamani, M.; Bigtashkhani, R. The Effect of +11 Injury Prevention Program on the Jumping-Landing Error in Female Amateur Soccer Players. Res. Sport Med. Technol. 2021, 19, 91–102. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  19. Hughes, G.; Dai, B. The Influence of Decision Making and Divided Attention on Lower Limb Biomechanics Associated with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: A Narrative Review. Sports Biomech. 2023, 22, 30–45. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  20. Alimoradi, M.; Sahebozamani, M.; Hosseini, E.; Konrad, A.; Noorian, S. The Effect on Flexibility and a Variety of Performance Tests of the Addition of 4 Weeks of Soleus Stretching to a Regular Dynamic Stretching Routine in Amateur Female Soccer Players. Sports 2023, 11, 138. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  21. Needham, C.; Herrington, L. Cutting Movement Assessment Scores during Anticipated and Unanticipated 90-Degree Sidestep Cutting Manoeuvres within Female Professional Footballers. Sports 2022, 10, 128. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  22. Johari, K.; Alizadeh, M.H.; Barati, A.H. The Effects of FIFA 11+ for Referees Comprehensive Warm-up Program on the Strength of Core Stability Muscles in Iranian Football Referees. Res. Biosci. Phys. Act. 2016, 3, 1–9. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  23. Alimoradi, M.; Sahebozamani, M.; Bigtashkhani, R.; Fakhrzadegan, M. The Effect of +11 Comprehensive Warm-up Program on Lower Extremity Balance and Knee Proprioception in Female Amateur Soccer Players. J. Res. Sport Rehabil. 2017, 15, 21–34. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  24. Singh, A.; Sathe, A.; Sandhu, J.S. Effect of a 6-Week Agility Training Program on Performance Indices of Indian Taekwondo Players. Saudi J. Sports Med. 2017, 17, 139–143. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  25. Mańko, A. Analysis of Football Referees Injuries—Literature Review. J. Educ. Health Sport 2022, 12, 149–157. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  26. Dos’Santos, T.; McBurnie, A.; Comfort, P.; Jones, P.A. The Effects of Six-Weeks Change of Direction Speed and Technique Modification Training on Cutting Performance and Movement Quality in Male Youth Soccer Players. Sports 2019, 7, 205. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  27. Forelli, F.; Traulle, M.; Bechaud, N.; Sansonnet, C.; Marine, P.; Vandebrouck, A.; Duffiet, P.; Mazeas, J. Predict Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury In Elite Male Soccer Players? Focus on The Five Factors Maximum Model. Int. J. Physiother. 2021, 8, 211–216. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  28. Barrera, J.; Figueiredo, A.J.; Clemente, F.M.; Field, A.; Valenzuela, L.; Saremento, H. Injury Prevention Programmes in Male Soccer Players: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews. J. Men’s Health 2022, 18, 200. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  29. Aparicio-Sarmiento, A.; Hernández-García, R.; Cejudo, A.; Palao, J.M.; Sainz de Baranda, P. Reliability of a Qualitative Instrument to Assess High-Risk Mechanisms during a 90° Change of Direction in Female Football Players. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 4143. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  30. Nakase, J.; Inaki, A.; Mochizuki, T.; Toratani, T.; Kosaka, M.; Ohashi, Y.; Taki, J.; Yahata, T.; Kinuya, S.; Tsuchiya, H. Whole Body Muscle Activity during the FIFA 11+ Program Evaluated by Positron Emission Tomography. PLoS ONE 2013, 8, e73898. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  31. Whittaker, J.L.; Emery, C.A. Impact of the FIFA 11+ on the Structure of Select Muscles in Adolescent Female Soccer Players. Phys. Ther. Sport 2015, 16, 228–235. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  32. Al Attar, W.S.A.; Al Shamrani, N.; Al Kabkabi, F.; Ghulam, H. Implementation of the FIFA 11+ Referees Injury Prevention Program among Soccer Referees. J. Phys. Educ. Sport 2021, 21, 1367–1375. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  33. Seyedi, M.; Zarei, M.; Daneshjoo, A.; Rajabi, R.; Shirzad, E.; Mozafaripour, E.; Mohammadpour, S. Effects of FIFA 11 + Warm-up Program on Kinematics and Proprioception in Adolescent Soccer Players: A Parallel-group Randomized Control Trial. Sci. Rep. 2023, 13, 5527. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  34. Alimoradi, M. Effect of 24-Week FIFA 11+ Referees Program on Quality of Change of Direction Maneuver in Elite Soccer Referees; [Data Set]. Zenodo; CERN: Geneve, Switzerland, 2024. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
Applsci 14 07004 g001
Figure 1. Flow diagram of the research.
Figure 1. Flow diagram of the research.
Applsci 14 07004 g001
Applsci 14 07004 g002
Figure 2. Schematic representation of the COD at three angles, (A): 45°; (B): 70°; (C): 90°.
Figure 2. Schematic representation of the COD at three angles, (A): 45°; (B): 70°; (C): 90°.
Applsci 14 07004 g002
Table 1. Cutting Movement Assessment Score Tool (CMAS).
Table 1. Cutting Movement Assessment Score Tool (CMAS).
Recommended CameraVariableObservationScore
Penultimate contact
Side/20–45°1.Clear PFC braking strategyY/NY = 0/N = 1
Final contact
Front/20–45°2.Lateral leg plant distance (at initial contact)Wide, Moderate, NarrowWide = 2, Moderate = 1, Narrow = 0
Front/20–45°3.Hip positioned in internal rotation at initial contactY/NY = 1/N = 0
Front/20–45°4.Knee in a ‘valgus’ position at initial contactY/NY = 1/N = 0
All 35.Foot not in a neutral position at initial contactY/NY = 1/N = 0
Front/20–45°6.Trunk position in the frontal/transverse plane relative to the intended direction of travel at initial contact and during weight acceptance (WA)L/TR, U, ML/TR = 2, U = 1, M = 0
Side/20–45°7.Trunk upright or leaning back throughout contact (at initial contact and during WA)Y/NY = 1/N = 0
Side/20–45°8.Limited knee flexion during final contact ≤ 30° (during WA)Y/NY = 1/N = 0
Front/20–45°9.Excessive knee ‘valgus’ motion (during WA)Y/NY = 1/N = 0
Low ≤ 3Moderate 4–6High ≥ 7Score/11
Legends: PFC: penultimate foot contact; WA: weight acceptance; L: lateral; TR: trunk rotation; U: upright; M: medial; Y: yes; N: no.
Table 2. Demographic data with statistical analysis for group differences.
Table 2. Demographic data with statistical analysis for group differences.
GroupNMean ± SDTp-Value
Age (years)11+4036.47 ± 3.861.280.20
Control4135.34 ± 4.071
Body mass (kg)11+4076.65 ± 3.051.120.26
Control4175.90 ± 2.93
Body height11+40179.65 ± 5.011.640.10
Control41178.07 ± 3.52
BMI11+4023.80 ± 1.700.450.64
Control4123.96 ± 1.33
Referee
experience		11+405.57 ± 2.170.970.33
Control416.09 ± 2.61
Table 3. The result of the Mann–Whitney U test in different conditions of COD maneuver between the groups (pre- to post-changes).
Table 3. The result of the Mann–Whitney U test in different conditions of COD maneuver between the groups (pre- to post-changes).
GroupDominant/Non-DominantBaseline Mean ± SDPost-Intervention Mean ± SDMean Change ± SDMean RankMann–Whitney U (Between-Group)p-Value (Between-Group)
COD 45°11+Dominant2.40 ± 0.811.80 ± 0.82−0.60 ± 0.5930.98419.000.001
ControlDominant2.00 ± 1.072.00 ± 0.940.00 ± 0.5050.78
11+Non-dominant2.80 ± 0.912.03 ± 0.76−0.77 ± 0.9431.54441.500.001
ControlNon-dominant2.53 ± 0.862.46 ± 0.80−0.07 ± 0.6050.23
COD 70°11+Dominant2.65 ± 0.762.02 ± 0.99−0.62 ± 0.7732.41476.500.001
ControlDominant2.29 ± 0.952.26 ± 0.89−0.02 ± 0.5649.38
11+Non-dominant3.20 ± 0.852.57 ± 0.81−0.62 ± 0.7433.51520.500.001
ControlNon-dominant2.85 ± 0.932.70 ± 1.07−0.14 ± 0.5248.30
COD 90°11+Dominant3.85 ± 0.803.00 ± 0.81−0.85 ± 0.8629.70368.000.001
ControlDominant3.80 ± 0.843.80 ± 0.780.00 ± 0.3852.02
11+Non-dominant4.92 ± 0.823.65 ± 0.69−1.27 ± 0.8425.95218.000.001
ControlNon-dominant5.00 ± 0.974.90 ± 1.01−0.09 ± 0.6255.68
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Alimoradi, M.; Hosseini, E.; Iranmanesh, M.; Monfaredian, O.; Kozinc, Ž. Effect of 24-Week FIFA 11+ Referees Program on Quality of Change of Direction Maneuver in Elite Soccer Referees. Appl. Sci. 2024, 14, 7004. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14167004

AMA Style

Alimoradi M, Hosseini E, Iranmanesh M, Monfaredian O, Kozinc Ž. Effect of 24-Week FIFA 11+ Referees Program on Quality of Change of Direction Maneuver in Elite Soccer Referees. Applied Sciences. 2024; 14(16):7004. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14167004

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alimoradi, Mohammad, Elham Hosseini, Mojtaba Iranmanesh, Omid Monfaredian, and Žiga Kozinc. 2024. "Effect of 24-Week FIFA 11+ Referees Program on Quality of Change of Direction Maneuver in Elite Soccer Referees" Applied Sciences 14, no. 16: 7004. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14167004

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop