Background: The Fédération International de Football Association (FIFA) has promoted and deployed the FIFA 11+ injury prevention program worldwide. Developed by the FIFA Medical Assessment and Research Centre (F-MARC), the program relied on the results of an international randomized controlled trial that aimed to reduce sport-related injuries and healthcare costs. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the awareness level, implementation rate, and opinions about the effectiveness of the FIFA 11+ Injury Prevention Program among professional and semi-professional soccer players and coaches worldwide. Methods: In all, 2000 professional and semi-professional soccer players and coaches were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Several authors, who are experts in sports medicine and injury prevention, participated in developing the questionnaire. The primary outcomes were awareness level, implementation rate, and opinion on the FIFA 11+ Program’s effectiveness in reducing injuries. Results: A total of 1690 professional and semi-professional soccer players and coaches completed the survey (response rate: 84.5%). A total of 824 professional and semi-professional soccer players and coaches (48.8%) were aware of the FIFA 11+ Program, and 680 (83.8%) reported implementing the program in their practice. The participants who implemented the program reported a positive attitude toward the program’s efficacy, with a score of 8.20 ± 1.10 out of 10. Conclusion: More than half of professional and semi-professional soccer players and coaches from different continents are not aware of the FIFA 11+ Injury Prevention Program. Therefore, educating players and coaches is necessary for increased implementation and injury reduction.

Background. Obesity contributes to the acquired flatfoot deformity which in turn impairs balance. Aim. The purpose of the current study was to compare the effect of plyometric exercises with flatfoot corrective exercises on balance, foot posture, and functional mobility in obese children with a flexible flatfoot. Methods. Forty-seven children participated in the study. Their age ranged from 7 to 11 years. Participants were randomly divided into 3 groups: experimental group I (EGI), experimental group II (EGII), and the control group (CG). The EGI received plyometric exercises and the EGII received corrective exercises, 2 sessions weekly for 10 weeks. The control group did not perform any planned physical activities. The Prokin system was used to assess balance, the timed up and go test (TUG) was used to assess functional mobility, and the navicular drop test (NDT) was used to assess foot posture. Results. EGI showed significant improvement in all balance parameters, foot posture, and TUG. EGII showed improvement in the ellipse area and perimeter in addition to foot posture and TUG. Conclusion. Plyometric exercises and foot correction exercises had a positive effect on foot posture, balance, and functional mobility in obese children with flatfeet.

BACKGROUND: Low Vitamin D levels associated with obesity have reached an epidemic level all over the world. It has been supposed that the low serum level of Vitamin D3 in obese subjects may be due to an increase in the uptake of Vitamin D3 by adipose tissue. AIM: The current study aimed to investigate the effect of a specially designed exercise program for boosting lipolysis on the Vitamin D level in obese children. METHODS: Thirty obese male children participated in the study. Their age was ranged from 9 to 11 years. The participants were assigned to two groups, Group I (GI) who received endurance exercise (ENE) only and Group II (GII) who received the specially designed exercise for increasing lipolysis (ENE preceded by resistance exercise). Free fatty acids (FFA), glycerol, and 25(OH)D were assessed before and immediately after exercise. RESULTS: FFA and glycerol showed a significant increase in both groups following exercise, while 25(OH)D showed a significant increase only in GII. GII showed significantly higher levels of FFA, glycerol, and 25(OH)D following exercise when it was compared to GI. CONCLUSION: The application of resistance training before ENE could improve the Vitamin D status through increasing the lipolytic activities more than the application of endurance exercise alone.