Changes in balance performance in adolescent football players at the beginning of competition period

Balance performance, particularly in a one-leg stance, is critical for enhancing a football player’s ability to perform high-intensity and explosive actions such as sprints, jumps, accelerations, and decelerations during changes of direction - key physical capacities required for success in competition (Chtara et al., 2018; Rouissi et al., 2018). Kim & Kim (2018), Chtara et al. (2018) proved that shin muscle strength growth causes balance improvement. Lower ankle joint stiffness is associated with a larger range of movement (ROM) in plantar flexion and worse static balance (Loram & Lakie, 2002). Our study aims to assess static and dynamic balance, ankle plantar (PF) and dorsal (DF) flexor muscle strength, and ankle ROM changes in adolescent football players in the competition period’s first 8 weeks.