1.    Introduction
To reduce musculoskeletal injuries and enhance athletic performance in the fast-paced sport of futsal, it is essential to strengthen key factors related to lower extremity injuries, such as agility, static and dynamic balance, and explosive power (5,6). Research has shown that deficiencies in these factors can increase the risk of recurrent injuries (7). In this context, Sport-Metric training has emerged as an innovative approach designed to improve muscular strength, dynamic balance, and neuromuscular control. This training method emphasizes multi-directional movements, sudden changes in direction and speed, and enhanced reaction time, all of which contribute to greater movement accuracy and efficiency in sports (8). Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of these exercises in reducing the risk of lower extremity injuries (9). However, despite the well-documented benefits of Sport-Metric training, previous research has primarily focused on adult or professional athletes, with limited information available on its effects in youth futsal players. This gap in the literature underscores the need for comprehensive studies that simultaneously examine the impact of Sport-Metric training on both lower extremity injury-related performance factors and specialized futsal skills in young athletes. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of a six-week Sport-Metric training program on lower extremity injury-related performance factors and sport-specific technical skills in youth futsal players.
2.    Methods
This study employed a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test assessments and a control group. The statistical population included all male futsal players aged 9 to 12 in Bukan. Participants were purposively selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. After identifying eligible participants, they were randomly assigned to two groups of 15: an experimental group and a control group. The research process involved coordination with futsal teams in Bukan, where the study’s objectives and procedures were thoroughly explained to coaches and team managers. Players meeting the criteria were identified from participating teams and underwent initial screening and assessment. Written informed consent was obtained from the parents or legal guardians of eligible players before participation. During the pre-test phase, anthropometric measurements were recorded first. Subsequently, physical performance tests (static balance, dynamic balance, explosive power, and agility) and skill-based performance tests (dribbling speed and shooting accuracy) were administered following standardized instructions. Before testing, participants completed a 10-minute futsal-specific warm-up, including stretching and technical drills (13). Each test was performed three times, and the average of the three valid trials was recorded as the final score. Following the pre-test, the experimental group underwent a six-week Sport-Metric training program, consisting of three sessions per week, with each session lasting 25 to 35 minutes in addition to their regular futsal training. Meanwhile, the control group continued their regular futsal training without any additional intervention. After the six-week training period, all performance tests from the pre-test phase were repeated in the post-test phase.
For data analysis, paired t-tests were used to assess within-group differences, while analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was conducted to evaluate between-group differences in the post-test phase. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 26, with a significance level set at p ≤ 0.05.
3.    Results
Within-group results from paired t-tests indicated significant improvements in static balance, dynamic balance, agility, power, dribbling speed, and shooting accuracy in the experimental group from pre-test to post-test (p ≤ 0.05). In contrast, the control group showed no significant changes in any of these variables between the pre-test and post-test (p ≥ 0.05).
Results from the ANCOVA analysis revealed that, after controlling for pre-test effects (covariate), significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in static and dynamic balance, agility, power, dribbling speed, and shooting accuracy during the post-test phase (p ≤ 0.05) (Table 1).

4.    Conclusion
The observed improvements in injury-related performance factors and technical skill variables among young futsal players following Sport-Metric training can be explained from two perspectives: neuromuscular adaptation and motor development (25, 26). First, in children aged 9 to 12 years, the neuromuscular and musculoskeletal systems are still developing. During this critical developmental period, physical performance factors undergo continuous growth and adaptation. Sport-Metric training, which incorporates multi-directional movements and rapid changes in speed and direction, can enhance these neuromuscular capabilities. Additionally, Sport-Metric training improves neuromuscular coordination, as it requires the rapid and precise execution of complex movements (11). The ability to perform such movements with accuracy enhances neuromuscular flexibility and responsiveness, which are essential for developing sports skills at younger ages (9).
The findings of the present study demonstrated that Sport-Metric training can significantly improve injury-related performance factors as well as technical skills in youth futsal players. Specifically, this intervention led to significant enhancements in agility, static and dynamic balance, explosive power, dribbling speed, and shooting accuracy. These results indicate that structured Sport-Metric training programs can be a highly effective method for enhancing motor skills, improving physical capabilities, and reducing injury risks in youth athletes. Therefore, it is recommended that coaching staff, futsal trainers, and sports scientists integrate Sport-Metric training into the training regimens of youth futsal players to enhance motor skill development and injury prevention.

Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
There were no ethical considerations to be addressed in this research.
Funding
This research did not receive any financial support from government, private, or non-profit organizations.
Authors' contributions
All authors contributed equally to preparing the article.
Conflicts of interest
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest associated with this article.