Structured Functional Training Enhances Motor Skill Acquisition and Functional Health in Adolescent Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Adolescence is one of the stages of development where rapid neuromuscular growth and increased neuroplasticity occur. This is a stage at which training organization can play critical roles in the acquisition of motor skills, coordination of movement, and long-term functionality. Although the results of strength-based training programs are frequently reported in training studies on adolescents, there have been less studies that examine the role of integrative training methods on the efficiency of motor learning and functional adaptation specifically. In the present study, the impact of a systematic functional training program on motor skill-related performance and functional health indicators in young volleyball players were examined. It has been a randomized controlled trial involving 52 male adolescent athletes aged 13 + 2 years who were randomly assigned to the functional training group (FTG n = 26) and traditional resistance training group (TRTG n = 26). After the 12 weeks intervention (3 times a week, 20 in each group) 40 subjects were able to complete the protocol. The functional program aimed at multi-jointed and multi-planar exercises that were based on their tasks with dynamic balance and core stability and sport-specific jump coordinate. Measurement tools included: standing reach height, approach reach height, agility (half-meter square test), standing long jump, sprint speed and endurance performance. Both FTG (P = 0.025; d = 0.74) and AP-R (P = 0.034; d = 0.69) increased significantly indicating better vertical coordination and intermuscular synchronism. Agility performance had moderate effect size (d = 0.58) meaning that it did not statistically differ (P = 0.075). The TRTG experienced excellent increase in agility (P = 0.028, d = -0.72) but no change in vertical performance. Comparison of post-intervention measurements across groups demonstrated no significant differences (all P> 0.05). Integrative and task-oriented characteristic of structured functional training, under the concept of motor learning, has the potential to develop sensorimotor integration and coordinated movement pattern formation during adolescence. Improvements in dynamic balance and coordinated force generation can also be seen as an advantage of joint stability and neuromuscular efficiency, which are aspects of functional health and decreasing the risk of injury. These findings suggest that training structure is a key element in predicting the results of motor learning and provide a foundation to consider other time-based training models that aim at optimizing the development of skills and functional capabilities in the youth population.

Keywords: Motor Skill Acquisition, Functional Health, Adolescent Athletes, Neuromuscular Adaptation, Training Structure, Randomized Controlled Trial.

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007825