Effect of specific coordination training on the performance of young football players: a systematic review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v81.116996Keywords:
Children, football, motor coordination, performance, youthAbstract
Introduction: Football is a complex and dynamic sport in which motor coordination plays a fundamental role in player development, contributing to the acquisition of technical skills, movement efficiency, and adaptability to dynamic game environments.
Objective: This systematic review aimed to analyze the effects of specific coordination training on the performance of youth football players.
Methodology: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Studies were selected if they included youth football players (6–18 years old) and involved interventions specifically aimed at developing coordination. Methodological quality and the participants' competitive level were assessed using the Downs and Black (1998) scale and the DeWeese et al. (2015) classification framework, respectively.
Results: Specific coordination training improved technical skills, agility, balance, and general motor coordination in young players. The four included studies scored between 20 and 23 points (good quality). The most frequently used instruments were standardized tools (MABC-2, KTK) and ball-specific coordination tasks.
Discussion: The results are consistent with the literature regarding the positive effects of coordinative training; however, the heterogeneity in protocols and assessment methods limits direct comparison between studies. The competitive level of the participants was identified as a relevant moderating factor.
Conclusions: Coordination-focused interventions appear to be effective in improving performance variables in youth football players. It is recommended to standardize assessment protocols, consider the competitive level when interpreting results, and explore the long-term effects of coordination-based training programs.
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