Changes in muscle activity after performing the FIFA 11+ programme part 2 for 4 weeks

ABSTRACT

Changes in muscle activity were evaluated by positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET–CT) after performing part 2 of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association’s 11+ programme (11+) for 4 weeks. Eleven males performed part 2 of the 11+ for 20 min before and after 37 MBq of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) was injected intravenously. PET–CT images were obtained 50 min after FDG injection. The participants were then instructed to perform part 2 of the 11+ 3 times per week for 4 consecutive weeks, after which another set of PET–CT images was obtained following the same procedure. Regions of interest were defined within 30 muscles. The standardised uptake value (SUV) of FDG by muscle tissue per unit volume was calculated, and FDG accumulation was compared between pre- and post-training PET–CT results. Performing part 2 of the 11+ for 4 weeks increased mean SUV in the sartorius, semimembranosus, biceps femoris, abductor hallucis, and flexor hallucis brevis muscles (P < 0.05). In conclusion, routinely performing part 2 of the 11+ for 4 weeks increased glucose uptake related to muscle activity in the hamstrings and hallux muscles. We speculate that there is some possibility of this change of muscle activity contributing to a decrease in sports-related injuries.

KEYWORDS:

• FIFA 11+
• fluorodeoxyglucose
• F18
• positron emission tomography
• sports injury prevention

Acknowledgements

No financial assistance was received for the project. We received advice about statistical examination from Prof. Hiroyuki Nakamura of department of environmental and preventive medicine of Kanazawa University.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.