Effects of neuromuscular versus stretching training performed during the warm-up on measures of physical fitness and mental well-being in highly-trained pubertal male soccer players

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0318318
• Publication Date: 2025-05-16T18:20:16Z
• Authors: Achraf Hammami; Walid Selmi; Abdelkader Mahmoudi; Yassine Negra; Anis Chaouachi; David G. Behm; Urs Granacher; Raouf Hammami
• Keywords: Plyometrics

While there is ample evidence on the effects of neuromuscular training (NMT) and stretching selected measures physical fitness in young athletes, less known mental well-being effects. Here, we aimed to examine NMT versus (ST) performed during warm-up active control (CG) highly-trained male pubertal soccer players. A secondary aim was investigate associations between training-induced changes well-being. Forty-six participants aged 12.2 ± 0.6 years were randomly allocated NMT, ST, or CG. The eight-weeks included balance, strength, plyometric, change-of-direction (CoD) exercises. ST comprised four weeks lower limbs static followed by dynamic stretching. CG a soccer-specific warm-up. Training volumes similar groups. Pre-, post-training, tests scheduled assess balance (Y-balance test), 15-m CoD speed, power (five-jump-test [FJT]), cognitive (CA), somatic anxiety (SA), self-confidence (SC). Findings showed significant group-by-time interactions for all (d = 1.00-3.23; p < 0.05) 0.97-1.08; tests. There pre-post tested variables 0.69-4.23; favor but not Pooled data indicated moderate correlations performance FJT SA (r -0.378, 0.05), SC 0.360, 0.393, 0.01). resulted improved safe effective method as it exerts positive well coping