The Effects of FIFA 11+ and Harmoknee Warm-Up Protocols on Flexibility, Vertical Jump and Shooting Speed in Female Football Players: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the acute effects of the FIFA 11+ and Harmoknee warm-up protocols in female football players on flexibility, vertical jump, and shooting speed performance. Methods: This study involved 17 female football players who volunteered to participate, had no history of medical conditions, maintained regular menstrual cycles (28 +/- 2 days, range: 26-33 days) in the three months preceding the study, and consistently engaged in football training. The Harmoknee and FIFA 11+ neuromuscular warm-up protocols were applied to the study group on different days, 48 h apart. After the exercises, athletes were tested for flexibility, vertical jump, and shooting speed. Two trials were allowed for each test, with a 3 min break between trials. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to check for normality, and an independent sample t-test was used to compare groups. The p-value was set at <0.05 to determine statistical significance. Results: When comparing warm-up protocols, it was established that the FIFA 11+ neuromuscular warm-up protocol positively affects athletes' vertical jump performance compared to other protocols (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the FIFA 11+ warm-up protocol resulted in better vertical jump performance in female soccer players compared to the Harmoknee warm-up routine. The FIFA 11+ protocol activates leg muscles, and balance exercises improve the neuromuscular characteristics of the warm-up compared to the Harmoknee protocol.