Table 4.
Themes coded from players’ free-text suggestions for improvements to the training programmes and stated motivators for their ongoing participation in a similar training programme
| Response | Programme | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| NMC n (% of responders to question) | Control n (% of responders to question) | ||
| Suggested improvements that could be made to the training programme χ29=8.325 p=0.502 93 players (NMC=38, control=55) responded to this question |
Shorter in length | 8 (21) | 16 (29) |
| More variety in drills/exercises | 6 (16) | 10 (18) | |
| Higher intensity/more active | 6 (16) | 2 (4) | |
| More specific to football/game play | 2 (5) | 2 (4) | |
| Better/frequent explanation of drills/benefits of programme | 2 (5) | 5 (9) | |
| Gradual exposure to sprints | 0 | 4 (7) | |
| More equipment | 1 (3) | 1 (2) | |
| More enjoyable/interesting | 3 (8) | 4 (7) | |
| More stretching/core/balance/interval training | 2 (5) | 2 (4) | |
| Other/non-specific | 8 (21) | 9 (16) | |
| Reasons for future participation in a similar training programme χ28=12.157 p=0.144 116 players (NMC=51, control=65) responded to this question |
Prevent injury | 17 (33) | 13 (20) |
| Beneficial | 10 (20) | 8 (12) | |
| Improves fitness | 0 | 7 (11) | |
| Good warm-up/prepares body for training | 4 (8) | 10 (15) | |
| More interesting/good change from normal warm-up | 7 (14) | 7 (11) | |
| Helps with ability/balance | 4 (8) | 3 (5) | |
| Good/enjoyable | 3 (6) | 7 (11) | |
| Benefits performance/makes me a better player | 0 | 1 (2) | |
| Other/non-specific | 6 (12) | 9 (14) | |
Responses given as frequencies and percentages of each group who answered this question.
NMC, neuromuscular control.