Enhancing Static Balance in Mini-Football Players through a Unique Training Program that Leverages the Innovative Blazepod Technology
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18662/po15.1/610Keywords:
balance, mini-football, proprioception, performance enhancement, Blazepod technologyAbstract
Mini-football, a dynamic sport, demands a blend of motor skills and peak physical abilities such as acceleration, deceleration, jumping, and directional changes, often executed with high intensity. Many technical skills, including passing, dribbling, ball control, and shooting, are performed using only one foot, underscoring the importance of balance in player performance. Given its role in stabilizing movements and optimizing coordination, balance training is crucial for enhancing technical proficiency in mini-football. The present study aimed to enhance balance in senior mini-football players through a 12-week experimental training program utilizing Blazepod technology. 20 senior mini-football players participated in an experimental intervention, where specific proprioceptive exercises targeting balance were integrated into training sessions twice per week. The study used the Y Balance Test to assess balance improvements in multiple movement directions. The results revealed a statistically significant improvement in balance performance across all test parameters. The most significant progress was observed in the forward direction for the right foot and the backward-right direction for the left foot. These findings not only validate the effectiveness of balance training using innovative technologies but also provide practical insights for coaches and practitioners in the field of sports training, inspiring them to adopt modern training methodologies to enhance the performance levels of mini-football players.
References
Alecu, S., & Ionescu-Bondoc, D. (2024). Proprioception testing in junior athletes training using the “gyko” sensor. Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov. Series IX: Sciences of Human Kinetics, 27–36. https://doi.org/10.31926/but.shk.2024.17.66.2.3.
Alpaslan, G., Bekır, T., & Adela, B. (2017). The effects of three different type of exercises on aerobic and anaerobic power. Physical Education of Students, 21(4), 152–157. https://doi.org/10.15561/20755279.2017.0401
Artikov, A., & Xasanov, D. (2022). Features of teaching technical and tactical movements of 13-15-year-old girls in mini-football at a comprehensive school. Modern Science and research, 1(1), 335-345.
Badau, D. (2006). Ambidextria în Activitatea Motrică. Editura Universităţii Transilvania.
Badau, D., Badau, A., Ene-Voiculescu, C., Larion, A., Ene-Voiculescu, V., Mihaila, I., Fleancu, J. L., Tudor, V., Tifrea, C., Cotovanu, A. S., & Abramiuc, A. (2022). The Impact of Implementing an Exergame Program on the Level of Reaction Time Optimization in Handball, Volleyball, and Basketball Players. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(9), 5598. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095598
Bekris, E., Kahrimanis, G., Anagnostakos, K., Gissis, I., Papadopoulos, C. & Sotiropoulos A. (2012). Proprioception and balance training can improve amateur soccer players’ technical skills. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 12(1), 81-89. https://www.efsupit.ro/images/stories/nr%201%202012/vol%2012_1_%20art%2013.pdf
Boyxonov, B., & Artikov, A. (2023). Studying the technical and tactical actions of highly qualified mini soccer girls during the game. Modern Science and Research, 2(4), 400-410.
Cè, E., Longo, S., Paleari, E., Riboli, A., Limonta, E., Rampichini, S., Coratella, G., & Esposito, F. (2018). Evidence of balance training-induced improvement in soccer-specific skills in U11 soccer players. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 28(11), 2443–2456. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13240
García-Ceberino, J. M., Gamero, M. G., Feu, S., & Ibáñez, S. J. (2019). The mean of teaching as a determinant of the external Training Load of the tasks used to teach school soccer. ESHPA - Education, Sport, Health and Physical Activity, 3(3), 412-427. http://hdl.handle.net/10481/58338
Dello Iacono, A., Padulo, J., & Ayalon, M. (2016). Core stability training on lower limb balance strength. Journal of sports sciences, 34(7), 671–678. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2015.1068437
Ene-Voiculescu, V., & Ene-Voiculescu, C. (2018). Psychomotricity: The body as self-expression. Scientific Bulletin'Mircea cel Batran'Naval Academy, 21(2), 180. https://www.anmb.ro/buletinstiintific/buletine/2018_Issue2/04_FAR/32.pdf
Eraslan, M., Gürkan, A. C., Aydın, S., Şahin, M., Çelik, S., Söyler, M., Altuğ, T., & Mülhim, M. A. (2025). The effect of proprioceptive training on technical soccer skills in youth professional soccer. Medicina, 61(2), 252. .https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61020252
Ergen, E., & Bülent Ülkar. (2008). Proprioception and ankle injuries in soccer. Clinics in Sports Medicine, 27(1), 195–217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csm.2007.10.002
Ganciu, M., Aducovschi, D., Mihaiu, C., Ganciu, O. M., & Litoi, F. (2015). Sport activities-healthy life style major components. In International Multidisciplinary Scientific Conference On Social Sciences And Arts SGEM 2015 (pp. 887-894).
Gidu, D. V., Badau, D., Stoica, M., Aron, A., Focan, G., Monea, D., Stoica, A. M., & Calota, N. D. (2022). The effects of proprioceptive training on balance, strength, agility and dribbling in adolescent male soccer players. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(4), 2028. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042028
Gioftsidou, A., Malliou, P., Pafis, G., Beneka, A., Godolias, G., & Maganaris, C. N. (2006). The effects of soccer training and timing of balance training on balance ability. European journal of applied physiology, 96(6), 659–664. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-005-0123-3
Grigoroiu, C., Pelin, R. A., Pricop, A. D., & Netolitzchi, M. (2019). Study on the efficiency of the Myotest device in the development of the minisoccer players explosive strength. eLearning & Software for Education, 3., 475. Doi:10.12753/2066-026X-19-204
Halabchi, F., Abbasian, L., Mirshahi, M., Mazaheri, R., Pourgharib Shahi, M. H., & Mansournia, M. A. (2020). Comparison of static and dynamic balance in male football and basketball players. Foot & Ankle Specialist, 13(3), 228–235. https://doi.org/10.1177/1938640019850618
Han, J., Waddington, G., Adams, R., Anson, J., & Liu, Y. (2016). Assessing proprioception: A critical review of methods. Journal of sport and health science, 5(1), 80–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2014.10.004
Hrysomallis, C. (2011). Balance ability and athletic performance. Sports Med. 41, 221–232
Karakaya, M. G., Rutbİl, H., Akpinar, E., Yildirim, A., & Karakaya, İ. Ç. (2015). Effect of ankle proprioceptive training on static body balance. Journal of physical therapy science, 27(10), 3299–3302. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.27.3299
Khuman, P. R, Kamlesh, T. & Surbala, L. (2014) Comparison of static and dynamic balance among collegiate cricket, soccer and volleyball male players. International Journal of Health & Allied Sciences, 3(1), 9-13. https://doi.org/10.4103/2278-344x.130599
Kubo, K., Kanehisa, H., Kawakami, Y., & Fukunaga, T. (2001). Influence of static stretching on viscoelastic properties of human tendon structures in vivo. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 90(2), 520–527. https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.2001.90.2.520
Lazarou, L., Kofotolis, N., Pafis, G., & Kellis, E. (2018). Effects of two proprioceptive training programs on ankle range of motion, pain, functional and balance performance in individuals with ankle sprain. Journal of back and musculoskeletal rehabilitation, 31(3), 437–446. https://doi.org/10.3233/BMR-170836
Leibo, W., Lisenchuk, G., Stasiuk, I., Marzec, A., Zhigadlo, G., Leleka, V., & Slavitiak, O. (2021). Training process structure of highly skilled players in mini-football during the competitive period. Sport Mont, 19(S2), 17–22. https://doi.org/10.26773/smj.210903
Lisenchuk, G., Leleka, V., Bogatyrev, K., Kokareva, S., Adamenko, O., Shchekotylina, N., ... & Krupenya, S. (2023). Fitness training in functional preparedness of highly qualified football players. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 23(2), 502-509. https://efsupit.ro/images/stories/februarie2023/Art%2062.pdf
Malliou, P., Gioftsidou, A., Pafis, G., Beneka, A., & Godolias, G. (2004). Proprioceptive training (Balance exercises) reduces lower extremity injuries in young soccer players. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, 17(3–4), 101–104. https://doi.org/10.3233/BMR-2004-173-403
Milanović, Z., Sporiš, G., Trajković, N., James, N., & Samija, K. (2013). Effects of a 12 week SAQ training programme on agility with and without the ball among young soccer players. Journal of sports science & medicine, 12(1), 97–103.
Mohamed, A. A., & Jan, Y. K. (2020). Effect of adding proprioceptive exercise to balance training in older adults with diabetes: a systematic review. Current diabetes reviews, 16(4), 327–339. https://doi.org/10.2174/1573399815666190712200147
Nechita, F. (2012). Monitoring process in sport of performance. Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Brașov. Series IX: Sciences of Human Kinetics, 5(54), 121-126. https://webbut.unitbv.ro/index.php/Series_VIII/article/view/6109/4684
Padrón-Cabo, A., Rey, E., Kalén, A., & Costa, P. B. (2020). Effects of training with an agility ladder on sprint, agility, and dribbling performance in youth soccer players. Journal of human kinetics, 73, 219–228. https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-2019-0146
Page, P. (2006). Sensorimotor training: A “global” approach for balance training. Journal of bodywork and movement therapies, 10(1), 77-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2005.04.006
Rhodes, D., Leather, M., Birdsall, D., & Alexander, J. (2020). The Effect of Proprioceptive Training on Directional Dynamic Stabilization. Journal of sport rehabilitation, 30(2), 248–254. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2019-0346
Stasiuk, I. (2013). Construction training process of highly skilled players in mini-football for competition period. Pedagogics, Psychology, Medical-Biological Problems of Physical Training and Sports, 17(8), 99–106. https://sportpedagogy.org.ua/index.php/PPS/article/view/500/463
Stoica, M. (2013). The influence of modern means on coordinative component to junior 1 soccer players. Procedia Soc. Behav. Sci. 117, 442–446. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.02.242
Stoica, M., & Blejan, C. (2013). Optimizing physical training through adapted specific tests in high performance football. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 93, 2136-2143. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.10.179
Tan, F., Harput, G., Ulusoy, B., & Guney-Deniz, H. (2024). The influence of unstable surfaces on ankle muscle activation during functional exercises. Journal of bodywork and movement therapies, 40, 602–609. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.05.006
Trecroci, A., Cavaggioni, L., Lastella, M., Broggi, M., Perri, E., Iaia, F. M., & Alberti, G. (2018). Effects of traditional balance and slackline training on physical performance and perceived enjoyment in young soccer players. Research in sports medicine (Print), 26(4), 450–461. https://doi.org/10.1080/15438627.2018.1492392
Yong, M. S., & Lee, Y. S. (2017). Effect of ankle proprioceptive exercise on static and dynamic balance in normal adults. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 29(2), 242–244. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.29.242
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 The Authors & LUMEN Publishing House

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant this journal right of first publication, with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work, with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g. post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g. in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as an earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
Postmodern Openings Journal has an Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs
CC BY-NC-ND