Motor Imagery and Muscle Architecture

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of plyometric training on biceps femoris longus (BFl) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscle architecture (fiber length, penation angle and muscle thickness) in healthy football players. Individuals will be randomly placed into two different groups, the training group and the control group. Imagery ability, self-efficacy and motivation will be evaluated with various questionnaires and scales in order to compare the homogeneity of the groups. Measurements of muscle architecture will be taken bilaterally from BFl and VL muscles by means of an ultrasound device. Functional performance will be evaluated with the single leg jump test. Following the initial evaluations, individuals in the training group will receive plyometric training consisting of ten different exercises for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week. In this training, individuals will not participate in a real plyometric training. Volunteers will watch videos to be prepared (action observation) and imagine them performing those exercises (motor imagery). All trainings will be given on the basis of telerehabilitation via distance education tools. Cognitive fatigue at the beginning and end of the session; at the end of each session, the technical quality and efficiency of the training will be evaluated. Evaluations of muscle architecture and functional performance will be taken again from the individuals in the control and training groups at the end of the 4th and 8th weeks. The received ultrasound images will be calculated through the MicroDicom software. In-group and between-group comparisons will be analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences program and appropriate tests.

Inclusion criteria

• Be in the 12-19 age range
• Being actively playing football as licensed

Exclusion criteria

• Those who have undergone lower extremity surgery
• Those with a history of second and third degree strain type injuries in the hamstring and quadriceps muscle groups
• Those with a history of injury to the lower extremity in the last two years
• Those with a history of congenital, neurological, orthopedic, rheumatological and cardiopulmonary pathologies or anomalies,
• Those with a diagnosis of systemic disease (diabetes, blood pressure, thyroid diseases, etc.)
• Those with acute infection and pain
• Those with a diagnosis of joint instability
• Those with a body mass index of 30 and above
• Those who received energy supplements or ergogenic aids during the study or during the 6-month period before the study
• Those who do not follow the research protocol