Page 29 - Layout 1

CURRENT CONCEPTS

The F-MARC 11 + program, involves 10 exercises

FIFa11+ to strengthen the muscles CORE, development of
the thigh muscles, preventing incorrect posture and

gaining stability. The element 11 was intended for a
Um programa de aquecimento completo para
“fair play” culture, since many injuries are caused by
ManUal
prevenir les̃es no futebol
fouls. Junge et al conducted a study in Switzerland,
where 60% of the coaches applied FIFA’s warm-up
program, showing that the players suffered 12%

fewer injuries in league competitions and 25% fewer
injuries during training when compared with other

athletes.

The program starts with running activities followed
by 6 strength, speed, balance and coordination

exercises. In total, there are 15 specific exercises
distributed in 3 parts, ranging in difficulty. The

third part involves another running session when
the warm-up is finished. The effectiveness of this

program was also demonstrated by Soligard et al
(1718) who, by applying the program, was able
to observe a decrease of 1/3 of injuries in general

and a half in severe injury. Thus, the F-MARC
recognizes the strength of CORE as a key element

of effective programs for injury prevention in soccer,
the balance and neuromuscular control, the eccentric

hamstring training, the pilometria and the agility.
However, injuries in soccer go beyond individual

skills. The opposing player plays an important role in
the incidence of these lesions. Thus, the F-MARC has
As for the prevention of ACL injuries in soccer created harsher punitive measures for players who
players, there is evidence that neuromuscular and
commit serious fouls, such as the elbow to the head
proprioceptive training prevent the onset of these strike, recognized as the main cause of concussion.
lesions. Brito J (2009) proposes a specific program
Consequently, this foul has to be penalized with a
of conditioning, education and training dedicated red card after the board’s decision in the 2006 FIFA
to the prevention of ACL injuries in soccer players,
World Cup. The effect of this measure can be noted
involving neuromuscular and proprioceptive training. in the decrease of contact injuries. The material with
The adoption of techniques adjusted to perform the
all the necessary tools to train all those involved in
skills of each modality is highly recommended. Before professional soccer has become available on the
the matches, a dynamic warm-up is proposed, set to
prepare the athlete for the intensity of the training. It website of FIFA (www.FIFA.com/medical).

is important to point out that, the submitted program There is strong scientific evidence that neuromuscular
can be implemented in resource-poor countries, such training programs specific to each sport should be
able to prevent knee and ankle injuries. Thus, further
as Brazil, for not requiring sophisticated equipment
and can thus be applied in any soccer club. studies should be conducted worldwide, in order to
evaluate the implementation of uniformed prevention
The recent FIFA Medical Assessment and Research
Centre–F Marc-developed prevention protocols, as programs involving the variables of each region and
the standardization of the protocols used as the basis
protocol named 11+, for instance. This program
was developed to assist health teams, in achieving for the evaluation of athletes, such as the protocol
developed by F-MARC, during competition seasons
a standard training, prior to soccer matches. To
implement the program, no more than 15 minutes and practice phases, seeking the most evidence,
are necessary.
especially when it comes to both professional teams

and under-18 teams, with the possibility of extending
the program to amateur teams, with the creation of a
specific format for this type of athlete.

01 Fig 1 FIFA 11+ prevention program – F-MARC (18)

ISAKOS NEWSLETTER 2013: Volume II 27