| EFFECTS OF DIVERSE WARM-UP PROTOCOLS ON TECHNICAL FOOTBALL PERFORMANCE ASSESSED BY F-MARC AND PORTUGUESE FOOTBALL FEDERATION SIX-SKILL TEST BATTERIES IN UNDER-15 PLAYERS: AN INTERVENTION STUDY |
| Paper ID : 1485-SPORTCONGRESS (R1) |
| Authors |
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Hamzeh Zarei *1, Khosro Jalali Dehkordi1, Farzaneh Taghian1, Filipe Manuel Clemente2 1Department of Sport Physiology, Isf.C., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran. 2Department of Biomechanics, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, 80-336 Gdańsk, Poland |
| Abstract |
| Abstract Introduction: Optimizing warm-up structure can enhance football-specific technical execution, yet evidence comparing its effect across multiple validated skill-assessment tools in youth players is limited. This study investigates the impact of six distinct warm-up protocols on technical performance measured with FIFA’s Medical Assessment and Research Centre (F-MARC) skill tests and the Portuguese Football Federation (PFF) six-skill battery in under-15 male players. Methods: Seventy-two players (mean age 14.34 ± 0.19 years) were randomly assigned to six warm-up interventions: dynamic (DWU), analytical (AWU), combined dynamic + analytical (ADWU), small-sided games (SSGWU), integrated (IWU), and combined SSG + integrated (SIWU). F-MARC tests comprised Juggling Foot, Body Juggling, Long Passing, Short Passing, Dead Ball Shooting, Moving Ball Shooting, and Heading. PFF tests assessed Body Control, Heading Control, Dribble with Pass, Dribbling Speed, Passing Accuracy, and Shooting Accuracy. Actual F-MARC pre- and post-test data were collected; PFF skills improvement was estimated using performance correlations with corresponding F-MARC outcomes. Assessments occurred at baseline (Pre-test) and post-intervention (Post-test). Normality was tested (Shapiro–Wilk) and time, group, and time×group effects analyzed via repeated measures MANOVA. Results: Significant main effects of time (Wilks’ λ = 0.000, p < 0.001, η² ≥ 0.93) and time×group interactions (p < 0.001, η² = 0.69) were observed in all F-MARC skills and estimated PFF outcomes. SIWU and SSGWU protocols delivered the greatest overall improvements: in F-MARC total score (+40 points, p < 0.001) and predicted PFF composite gains (+30–40%), particularly in dribbling speed, shooting accuracy, and heading control. ADWU excelled in long passing and dead-ball shooting, while IWU yielded balanced technical enhancements. Conclusion: Game-based and integrated warm-up formats produce the most substantial gains in multidimensional technical performance in youth football. This dual-tool evaluation confirms the transferability of skill improvements across independent test batteries, supporting diverse warm-ups for holistic development. |
| Keywords |
| Soccer, Warm-up Exercise, Motor Skills, Sports Performance, Adolescent Athlete |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Poster Presentation) |
