Details of training programs in three groups
adduction
CONTRACTION

Plyometric training group (PTG): Participants in this group performed three exercises.Bounding: This plyometric exercise uses enormous strides and running-specific action. During these exercises, to cover more distance, there is an increased hip and knee flexion while the arms swing in regular sprintingHurdling: This plyometric exercise uses a 40 cm height total of 8 cones placed in a straight line, 1 m apart, for hurdling while jumping over the cones. The participants had to use both legs to jump over the consecutive cones. For the first two weeks, the participants hurled over eight cones and performed two sets. And for the next six weeks, they performed three sets. The participants were allowed a rest period of 2–3 min after every set.Drop jumping: This plyometric exercise involved the participants dropping from a height of 40 cm stepper and then jumping forward immediately with maximum effort. For the first two weeks, the participants did drop jumps in two sets of ten repetitions; for the next six weeks, they did three sets. The participants were allowed a rest period of 2–3 min after every set.Strength training group (STG): These exercises were performed bilaterally.Isometric knee extension exercises: Participants sat with their knee flexed at 60Isometric quadriceps exercise: A towel roll was positioned underneath each participant's knee while supine. The participants were told to tighten their thigh muscles as much as possible in order to straighten their knees for 5 s. This exercise consisted of 3 sets of 10 repetitions three days a week for eight weeks.Straight leg raise (SLR) exercise: Prior to beginning the exercise's lifting phase while lying flat on their backs, participants were told to make a strong isometric quadriceps contraction. The participants were asked to lift their lower limbs 10 degrees with maximal contraction of quadriceps muscles during 5-s holds. This exercise was for three sets of 10 repetitions three days a week for eight weeks.Isometric hip adduction exercise: The participants were in a crook lying position on the mat and asked to perform isometric contraction of adductors against a soccer ball placed between the knees. Three sets of 10 repetitions (each rep. for 10 s), 10-s rest after each contraction, and 2 min rest after each set, three days a week for eight weeks, were performedControl group (CG): In this group, participants were not given any specific training; however, they were allowed to continue their regular home training. Their home training included stretching exercises only. They performed a standardized warm-up session of 15 min which included 8–10 min of running, jogging, and stretching exercises for 5–6 min. This warm up session was performed before the baseline and post-intervention measurement only.Participants in all three groups were allowed to play their football matches once in a week on the night between Thursday and Friday.Post-intervention evaluation: IS, ST, and SLTH were again measured after completing the 8-week training period. These measurements were taken after a gap of 2 days on Sundays following the end of the intervention period.