The Impact of 8-Week Deceleration Training on Dynamic Balance Skills of Young Soccer Players

The objective of this study is to assess the impact of deceleration training method on improving dynamic balance skills of young soccer players in comparison with the conventional training methods. This study included 26 young soccer players (mean age- 13.54±1.48, height- 154.98±12.44, weight- 46.16±11.06, Body Mass Index 18.96±2.21 kg/m2, fat percentile 18.22%±3.22). Thirteen players participated in the deceleration training group (DTG) group and thirteen players participated in the conventional training group (CTG). The training programs were executed on three nonconsecutive days in a week for a total of eight weeks. Y-balance tests were conducted both before and after the eight week training programs. The differences between the averages were analyzed with Wilcoxon, comparison between the groups were analyzed with Mann-Whitney-U post hoc analyses. There was no difference in left-right balance variation (p > 0.05) performance measurements between DTG and CTG before the exercise program. However, after the 8 week training programs, the performance measurements between DTG and CTG were significantly different (p < 0.05) and the dynamic balance skill development of the DTG were more advanced. Based on these results, the deceleration training method seems to be a more effective method in developing dynamic balance skills than conventional training methods.