The Acute Effects of Pre-Event Lower Limb Massage on Some Selected Physical Fitness Components of Junior Male Soccer Trainees of Ethiopian Youth Sport Academy

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the acute effects of pre-event warm-up modalities on some selected physical fitness components of junior male soccer trainees of the Ethiopian youth sport academy. Design: Experimental study design was employed.Methods: Thirty three (33) junior soccer trainees were included as a subject using purposive and availability sampling technique. Quantitative method of data analysis both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics was used. The descriptive statistics was presented as a form of central tendency which is mean and variability (standard deviation). The inferential statistics was parametric test which are dependent t-test (Paired sample t-tests) to show the significant difference of explosive power, speed, agility and flexibility performance following the three conditions. Result: The result can show that the mean value of the trainees explosive power test after traditional, pre-event massage and combined warm-up protocols were 2.27m, 2.23m and 2.23m respectively. The mean value of the trainees speed test after traditional, pre-event massage and combined warm-up protocols were 4.15s, 4.40s and 4.13s respectively. The mean value of the trainees agility test after traditional, pre-event massage and combined warm-up protocols were 15.83s, 16.35s and 15.74s respectively. The mean value of the trainees sit and reach test after traditional, pre-event massage and combined warm-up protocols were 12.85cm, 14.58cm and 15.18 respectively.Conclusion: significant difference were observed between pre-test (Traditional Warm up) and the other warm up modalities (pre-event lower limb massage and the combination of pre-event lower limb massage with traditional warm-up) on standing broad jump test, 30m speed test, Illinois agility test and sit & reach test at P<0.05. However, insignificant results have been found between pre-test (Traditional warm up) and the combination of pre-event lower limb massage with traditional warm-up on 30m speed test. Therefore, coaches and athletes to use the combined warm up protocol which pre-event lower limb massage first then traditional warm-up

Keywords: Pre-Event, Massage, warm-up, performance, traditional warm up