Effects of neuromuscular and neurocognitive training for improving dynamic balance and reaction time in recreational football players. A randomized controlled trial

Introduction. Football requires physical stamina and fundamental motor skills. Maintaining neuromuscular control—keeping the center of gravity within the base of support—is essential for players to prevent lower extremity injuries. Background. Recent studies have shown that neuromuscular training improves balance, stability, and athletic performance by enhancing proprioception, strength, and coordination. Additionally, neurocognitive training can improve reaction time and decision-making abilities. However, there is limited research on the combined effects of these training methods in recreational football players. Objective. This study aimed to assess the effects of neuromuscular and neurocognitive training on dynamic balance and reaction time in recreational football players. Methods. A total of 44 participants were screened, and 30 were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. They were randomly assigned to two groups: group A (experimental), which received neuromuscular and neurocognitive training, and group B (control), which did not receive any structured intervention. Participants had a mean age of 18.9 ± 4.5 years and an average body weight of 65.10 ± 7 kg. Outcome measures included the Y-balance test (YBT) and ruler drop test, administered at baseline and after a six-week intervention. Group comparisons were analyzed using an unpaired t-test, while within-group changes were evaluated using a paired t-test. The significance threshold was set at p < 0.05. Results. The experimental group (group A) demonstrated significant improvements in YBT right (t = 5.8, p = 0.001), YBT left (t = 9.4, p = 0.001), and reaction time (t = 14.4, p = 0.001), while the control group (group B) showed no improvements. Between-group comparisons also revealed significant differences for YBT right (t = 4.51, p < 0.0001), YBT left (t = 6.90, p < 0.0001), and reaction time (t = 12.91, p < 0.0001). Conclusions. Recreational football players who underwent neuromuscular and neurocognitive training showed enhanced dynamic balance and faster reaction times, while the control group experienced no such gains, indicating the effectiveness of the combined intervention in improving sport-specific performance attributes.