Abstract:
Soccer is a sport of several motor actions, which causes a constant imbalance in the body, emphasized in early ages, being proprioception a strategy to enhance balance in beginner soccer players. Objective: To assess the effects of a short-term proprioceptive intervention on the balance deficit in lower limbs of children's soccer players. Methods: A quasi-experimental cross-sectional study of a population of 12 children soccer players (10-12 years old), a four-week proprioceptive training was applied, emphasizing specific aspects to enhance body balance in its static phase. Three variables were evaluated for each foot from the application of the Y Balance Test in two moments of the sport preparation. Results: The test used determined a statistical significance level: Right Foot Left Movement (p= 0.005), Right Foot Central Movement (p= 0.004), Right Foot Right Movement (p= 0.005), Left Foot Left Movement (p= 0.003), Left Foot Central Movement (p= 0.003), Left Foot Right Movement (p= 0.004). Conclusions: A short-term proprioceptive training is effective in significantly improving lower extremity static balance in child soccer players.