{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,30]],"date-time":"2026-09-30T10:15:44Z","timestamp":1790763344151,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":60,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"4","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2022,2,11]],"date-time":"2022-02-11T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1644537600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["IJERPH"],"abstract":"<jats:p>The aim of the study was to determine the effects of proprioceptive training (PT) on balance, strength, agility and dribbling in adolescent soccer players. In this research, we included an experimental (n = 48) and a control (n = 48) group (CG) with 14 years old players. The experimental group (EG) participated in an 8 week PT program, with four 30 min sessions per week. The experimental program included 12 bosu ball exercises to improve balance, stability and strength which were grouped into two subprograms: the first not using the soccer ball, the second subprogram using the soccer ball. The subprograms were implemented alternately during 16 proprioceptive training sessions, on two types of firm and foam surfaces. Pre- and post-tests included the static balance [Balance Error Scoring System (BESS)], vertical, horizontal, and lateral jumping, and the completion of agility (\u201carrowhead\u201d) and dribbling (\u201cshort dribbling\u201d) tests. Regarding the total BESS score, the CG has demonstrated progress between the pre- and the post-test, with 0.780 \u00b1 0.895, fewer errors, while the EG had 5.828 \u00b1 1.017 fewer errors. The difference between the two groups was of 5.148 fewer errors for the EG who had practiced the proposed program of proprioceptive training. The highest difference registered between the pre- and the post-test was at the test \u201csingle-leg forward jump with the right leg\u201d, with a result of 1.083 \u00b1 0.459 cm for the CG and of 3.916 \u00b1 0. 761 cm for the EG. Through the analysis of average differences between the pre- and the post-tests, we observe that, regarding the \u201cAgility right side test\u201d, the EG has progressed with 0.382 s in comparison with the CG; regarding the \u201cAgility left side test\u201d, the EG has progressed with 0.233 s compared to the CG; regarding the \u201cAgility right and left side test\u201d, the EG has progressed with 0.196 s compared to the CG; in the \u201cShort dribbling test\u201d, the EG has progressed with 0.174 s compared to the CG. The highest progress was made at the \u201cAgility right side test\u201d, of 0.402 s for the EG, while the CG registered 0.120 s. Most of the results in all tests for both experimental groups show an effect size ranging from small to medium. The progress made by the experimental group in all tests was statistically significant, while in the control group the progress was mostly statistically insignificant for p &lt; 0.05. The results suggest that a PT program performed at about 14 years of age could be successfully implemented in the training regime of soccer players to improve components of fitness along with dribbling skills. The results of the study revealed that sports training on the foam surfaces determined a superior progress of the development of proprioception compared to the increased training on the firm surfaces.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph19042028","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2022,2,13]],"date-time":"2022-02-13T21:08:43Z","timestamp":1644786523000},"page":"2028","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":49,"title":["The Effects of Proprioceptive Training on Balance, Strength, Agility and Dribbling in Adolescent Male Soccer Players"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"19","author":[{"given":"Diana Victoria","family":"Gidu","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, \u201cOvidius\u201d University from Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1881-3531","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Dana","family":"Badau","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Petru Maior Faculty of Sciences and Letters, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania"},{"name":"Interdisciplinary Doctoral School, Faculty of Physical Education and Mountain Sports,  Transilvania University, 500068 Brasov, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Marius","family":"Stoica","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, National University of Physical Education and Sports, 060057 Bucharest, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Adrian","family":"Aron","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Physical Therapy, Radford University, Roanoke, VA 24013, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"George","family":"Focan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"\u201cFarul\u201d Academy Constanta, 900635 Constanta, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Dan","family":"Monea","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, Babes Bolyai University, 400048 Cluj-Napoca, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Alina Mihaela","family":"Stoica","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Bucharest, 050107 Bucharest, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Nicoleta Daniela","family":"Calota","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, \u201cOvidius\u201d University from Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2022,2,11]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"971","DOI":"10.1152\/japplphysiol.00274.2018","article-title":"Heritability of major components of proprioception","volume":"125","author":"Gandevia","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Appl. Physiol."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"27","DOI":"10.1016\/B978-0-444-63916-5.00002-1","article-title":"Sensory integration for human balance control","volume":"159","author":"Peterka","year":"2018","journal-title":"Handb. Clin. Neurol."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"795","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jelekin.2012.04.001","article-title":"The effects of exercise on limb proprioceptive signals","volume":"22","author":"Fortier","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Electromyogr. Kinesiol."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"461","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0000000000001097","article-title":"Proprioceptive training and injury prevention in a professional men\u2019s basketball team: A six-year prospective study","volume":"30","author":"Riva","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond. Res."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"98","DOI":"10.1007\/s00421-004-1080-y","article-title":"Impact of sensorimotor training on the rate of force development and neural activation","volume":"92","author":"Gruber","year":"2004","journal-title":"Eur. J. Appl. Physiol."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"999","DOI":"10.1055\/s-2007-964996","article-title":"Differential reflex adaptations following sensorimotor and strength training in young elite athletes","volume":"28","author":"Taube","year":"2007","journal-title":"Int. J. Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_7","first-page":"18","article-title":"Overcoming the myth of proprioceptive training","volume":"65","author":"Kim","year":"2011","journal-title":"Clin. Kinesiol."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1065","DOI":"10.4085\/1062-6050-52.11.16","article-title":"Proprioceptive training for the prevention of ankle sprains: An evidence-based review","volume":"52","author":"Rivera","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Athl. Train."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wang, H., Yu, H., Kim, Y.H., and Kan, W. (2021). Comparison of the effect of resistance and balance training on isokinetic eversion strength, dynamic balance, hop test, and ankle score in ankle sprain. Life, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/life11040307"},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"68","DOI":"10.1016\/j.gaitpost.2018.03.003","article-title":"Effects of balance and proprioceptive training on total hip and knee replacement rehabilitation: A systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"62","author":"Blasco","year":"2018","journal-title":"Gait Posture"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"221","DOI":"10.3233\/BMR-170804","article-title":"The effectiveness of proprioceptive and neuromuscular training compared to bracing in reducing the recurrence rate of ankle sprains in athletes: A systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"31","author":"Burger","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Back Musculoskelet. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"508","DOI":"10.1037\/bul0000192","article-title":"Reaction time in differential and developmental research: A review and commentary on the problems and alternatives","volume":"145","author":"Draheim","year":"2019","journal-title":"Psychol. Bull."},{"key":"ref_13","first-page":"138","article-title":"Fixed foot balance training increases rectus femoris activation during landing and jump height in recreationally active women","volume":"5","author":"Kean","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Sports Sci. Med."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"80","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jshs.2014.10.004","article-title":"Assessing proprioception: A critical review of methods","volume":"5","author":"Han","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Sport Health Sci."},{"key":"ref_15","first-page":"1570","article-title":"Strength training and gross-motor skill exercise as interventions to improve postural control, dynamic functional balance and strength in older individuals","volume":"61","author":"Forte","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Sports Med. Phys. Fit."},{"key":"ref_16","first-page":"561","article-title":"The effects of ten weeks of lower-body unstable surface training on markers of athletic performance","volume":"21","author":"Cressey","year":"2007","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond. Res."},{"key":"ref_17","first-page":"405","article-title":"Influence of proprioceptive training on the strenght of the lower limb in women soccer players","volume":"19","author":"Gidu","year":"2016","journal-title":"Mircea Batran Nav. Acad. Sci. Bull."},{"key":"ref_18","first-page":"397","article-title":"Balance training exercises decrease lower-limb strength asymmetry in young tennis players","volume":"13","author":"Sannicandro","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Sports Sci. Med."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"392","DOI":"10.4085\/1062-6050-45.4.392","article-title":"Balance training for neuromuscular control and performance enhancement: A systematic review","volume":"45","author":"Zech","year":"2010","journal-title":"J. Athl. Train."},{"key":"ref_20","first-page":"45","article-title":"Improving students\u2019functional capacity by introducing aerobics in the warm up part of physical education lessons","volume":"45","author":"Ciulea","year":"2019","journal-title":"Educ. Artis Gymnast."},{"key":"ref_21","first-page":"4","article-title":"The role of the functional training in optimising the motric capacity of junior female teams i-volleyball","volume":"59","author":"Ciulea","year":"2014","journal-title":"Stud. Univ. Babes-Bolyai Educ. Artis Gymnast."},{"key":"ref_22","first-page":"7","article-title":"Study of improving second selection strategy in women\u2019s basketball","volume":"17","author":"Oancea","year":"2016","journal-title":"Gymnasium"},{"key":"ref_23","first-page":"9","article-title":"Study about the importance of basketball free throws in Romanian national\u2019s leagues","volume":"9","author":"Oancea","year":"2016","journal-title":"Bull. Transilv. Univ. Brasov"},{"key":"ref_24","first-page":"42","article-title":"Comparison of static and dynamic balance in female collegiate soccer, basketball, and gymnastics athletes","volume":"42","author":"Bressel","year":"2007","journal-title":"J. Athl. Train."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"25","DOI":"10.1123\/mcj.13.1.25","article-title":"Adolescence: A transient period of proprioceptive neglect in sensory integration of postural control","volume":"13","author":"Viel","year":"2009","journal-title":"Mot. Control"},{"key":"ref_26","first-page":"85","article-title":"Study regarding the improvement of postural control in children who have down syndrome through swimming","volume":"2","author":"Popa","year":"2012","journal-title":"Gymn. Sci. J. Educ. Sports Health"},{"key":"ref_27","first-page":"212","article-title":"Involving modern technical devices in the teaching\u2013learning method of the professional swimming technique","volume":"14","author":"Galeru","year":"2008","journal-title":"Gymn. Sci. J. Educ. Sports Health"},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Badau, A., Rachita, A., Sasu, C.R., and Clipa, A. (2018). Motivations and the level of practicing physical activities by physio-kinetotherapy students. Educ. Sci., 8.","DOI":"10.3390\/educsci8030097"},{"key":"ref_29","first-page":"19","article-title":"The effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation in regards to the improvement of motor control in lower limbs, post-immobilization","volume":"1","author":"Popa","year":"2017","journal-title":"Gymn. Sci. J. Educ. Sports Health"},{"key":"ref_30","first-page":"316","article-title":"The effect of a balance and proprioception training program on amateur basketball players\u2019 passing skills","volume":"12","author":"Kostopoulos","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Phys. Educ. Sport"},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e14134","DOI":"10.1097\/MD.0000000000014134","article-title":"Balance control, agility, eye-hand coordination, and sport performance of amateur badminton players: A cross-sectional study","volume":"98","author":"Wong","year":"2019","journal-title":"Medicine"},{"key":"ref_32","first-page":"81","article-title":"Proprioception and balance training can improve amateur soccer players\u2019 technical skills","volume":"12","author":"Bekris","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Phys. Educ. Sport"},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1380","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0000000000001878","article-title":"Effects of a 12-month complex proprioceptive-coordinative training program on soccer performance in prepubertal boys aged 10-11 years","volume":"33","author":"Boraczynski","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond. Res."},{"key":"ref_34","first-page":"73","article-title":"Effects of functional balance training on static and dynamic balance performance of adolescent soccer players","volume":"2","author":"Cerrah","year":"2016","journal-title":"Int. J. Sport Exerc. Train. Sci."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"317","DOI":"10.5312\/wjo.v8.i4.317","article-title":"Effect of a specialized injury prevention program on static balance, dynamic balance and kicking accuracy of young soccer players","volume":"8","author":"Dunsky","year":"2017","journal-title":"World J. Orthop."},{"key":"ref_36","first-page":"30152","article-title":"Physical exercises for preventing injuries among adult male footballsoccer players: A systematic review","volume":"20","author":"Adsuar","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Sport Health Sci."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"248","DOI":"10.1123\/jsr.2019-0346","article-title":"The effect of proprioceptive training on directional dynamic stabilization","volume":"30","author":"Rhodes","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Sport Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_38","first-page":"445","article-title":"Comparison of proprioceptive training and muscular strength training to improve balance ability of taekwondo poomsae athletes: A randomized controlled trials","volume":"17","author":"Yoo","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Sports Sci. Med."},{"key":"ref_39","unstructured":"(2022, January 12). BESS, Available online: https:\/\/idph.iowa.gov\/Portals\/1\/Files\/ACBI\/BESS%20manual%20310.pdf."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"465","DOI":"10.1123\/jsr.18.4.465","article-title":"Balance improvements in female high school basketball players after a 6-week neuromuscular-training program","volume":"18","author":"McLeod","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Sport Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"287","DOI":"10.1177\/1941738111403122","article-title":"Systematic review of the balance error scoring system","volume":"3","author":"Bell","year":"2011","journal-title":"Sports Health"},{"key":"ref_42","unstructured":"Bangsbo, J., and Mohr, M. (2012). Fitness Testing in Football, Bangsbosport."},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"467","DOI":"10.22237\/jmasm\/1257035100","article-title":"New effect size rules of thumb","volume":"8","author":"Sawilowsky","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Mod. Appl. Stat. Methods"},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"65","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ptsp.2016.05.006","article-title":"Effects of joint stabilizers on proprioception and stability: A systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"25","author":"Ghai","year":"2017","journal-title":"Phys. Ther. Sport"},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"128","DOI":"10.1007\/s001670100208","article-title":"Can proprioception really be improved by exercises?","volume":"9","author":"Wojtys","year":"2001","journal-title":"Knee Surg. Sports Traumatol. Arthrosc."},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"285","DOI":"10.1055\/s-2001-13819","article-title":"Gain in strength and muscular balance after balance training","volume":"22","author":"Heitkamp","year":"2001","journal-title":"Int. J. Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"35","DOI":"10.1055\/s-0030-1267214","article-title":"Promoting balance and strength in the middle-aged workforce","volume":"32","author":"Granacher","year":"2011","journal-title":"Int. J. Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"273","DOI":"10.5960\/dzsm.2012.030","article-title":"Neurophysiological adaptations in response to balance training","volume":"63","author":"Taube","year":"2012","journal-title":"Ger. J. Sport Med."},{"key":"ref_49","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1759","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0b013e3181da7886","article-title":"Can balance training promote balance and strength in prepubertal children?","volume":"25","author":"Granacher","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond. Res."},{"key":"ref_50","first-page":"131","article-title":"The effects of proprioceptive training on jumping and agility performance","volume":"39","author":"Milanovic","year":"2007","journal-title":"Kinesiology"},{"key":"ref_51","first-page":"262","article-title":"The effect of 6-week combined agility-balance training on neuromuscular performance in basketball players","volume":"50","author":"Zemkova","year":"2010","journal-title":"J. Sports Med. Phys. Fit."},{"key":"ref_52","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"53","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0000000000001012","article-title":"Effect of combined sensorimotor-resistance training on strength, balance, and jumping performance of soccer players","volume":"30","author":"Manolopoulos","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond. Res."},{"key":"ref_53","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"600","DOI":"10.37358\/MP.18.4.5082","article-title":"Interaction Between Values of Anthropometric Body and Static Balance Related to the Characeristics of the Three Plastic Fitness Equipment","volume":"55","author":"Badau","year":"2018","journal-title":"Mater. Plast."},{"key":"ref_54","first-page":"637","article-title":"Maintenance of EMG activity and loss of force output with instability","volume":"18","author":"Anderson","year":"2004","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond. Res."},{"key":"ref_55","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"802","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0b013e31825c2cb0","article-title":"Gender-specific influences of balance, speed, and power on agility performance","volume":"27","author":"Sekulic","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond. Res."},{"key":"ref_56","first-page":"23","article-title":"The effects of a wobble board exercise training program on static balance performance and strength of lower extremity muscles","volume":"44","author":"Balogun","year":"1992","journal-title":"Physiother. Can."},{"key":"ref_57","first-page":"264","article-title":"Sport-specific assessment of the effectiveness of neuromuscular training in young athletes","volume":"11","author":"Hamar","year":"2018","journal-title":"Front. Physiol."},{"key":"ref_58","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"411","DOI":"10.1080\/02640414.2015.1057210","article-title":"Dribbling determinants in sub-elite youth soccer players","volume":"34","author":"Zago","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Sports Sci."},{"key":"ref_59","first-page":"27","article-title":"The pilates program. A mean of improving balance-related motor abilities","volume":"13","author":"Chicomban","year":"2020","journal-title":"Bull. Transilv. Univ. Bra\u015fov. Ser. IX Sci. Hum. Kinet."},{"key":"ref_60","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"568","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0b013e318225f3c4","article-title":"An exercise sequence for progression in balance training","volume":"26","author":"Muehlbauer","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond. Res."}],"container-title":["International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1660-4601\/19\/4\/2028\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T22:17:38Z","timestamp":1760134658000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1660-4601\/19\/4\/2028"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2022,2,11]]},"references-count":60,"journal-issue":{"issue":"4","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2022,2]]}},"alternative-id":["ijerph19042028"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ijerph19042028","relation":{},"ISSN":["1660-4601"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1660-4601","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2022,2,11]]}}}