Football is a physically demanding sport that involves frequent jumping, cutting, and sudden changes in direction, making players vulnerable to various musculoskeletal injuries especially around the knee(1, 2). If not properly addressed, such mechanical demands can place excessive stress on key structures like the Hamstring, ACL and MCL, increasing the risk of injury during high-impact movement(1). Hamstring strains are one of the most common injuries among football players, with significant impact on their performance and career longevity(1). These injuries are especially prevalent due to the high-intensity nature of football, involving rapid sprinting, cutting, and changes of direction. Studies have shown that hamstring strains account for a substantial proportion of all injuries in football, ranging from 12% to 20% of total injuries in professional and amateur levels. Given the high rate of recurrence and the long recovery times associated with hamstring injuries, there has been growing interest in injury prevention programs aimed at reducing the risk of these injuries. Many of these injuries stem from deficits in dynamic balance, inadequate landing strategies, and reduced strength in the lower limbs(3). When such deficits persist, they increase biomechanical load on the knee joint, raising the likelihood of ligament injuries during explosive actions(4). By addressing these movement impairments, programs like FIFA 11+ aim to improve neuromuscular coordination and reduce injury rates among football players
Male football players aged 16-30 years.
Able to comply with a 6-week FIFA 11+ program.
Provide informed consent.
Acute or chronic hamstring injury.
Recent major surgery of the lower limb or ongoing rehab plan.
Inability to safely perform exercises included in the FIFA 11+ program.
Non-compliance with baseline assessments or the training schedule.
Parallel
FIFA 11+ COMBINE WITH MYOFACICAL RELEASE TECHNIQUE
Other interventionThe intervention group will participate in the FIFA 11+ injury prevention program, which includes a structured series of exercises designed to improve strength, balance, and neuromuscular control. The program will be conducted three times per week for Six weeks as part of their regular training schedule. Myofascial Release: Manual therapist will perform standardized MFR techniques on hamstring fascia prior to FIFA 11+ sessions, lasting 10-15 minutes.
Routine warm up session
Other interventionthe control group will continue their standard warm-up routines without incorporating the FIFA 11+ exercises
Injury Surveillance Form
An injury surveillance form is a standardized data-collection tool used by medical professionals, public health agencies, and safety officers to systematically track the incidence, causes, and impacts of injuries.
Manual Muscle Testing for strength
to assess the muscles' strength on a scale of 5
Passive Straight Leg Raise with Goniometer
to assess hamstring flexibility
Single-Leg Hop Test for Distance
(To assess functional outcome)
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