Active primitive reflexes obstruct tactical and technical skills in football players.

Abstract

Primitive reflexes (PRs) are involuntary motor responses present at birth, typically replaced by voluntary motor control during development. If PRs remain active beyond infancy, they can impair motor and cognitive abilities. This study investigated the correlation between active PRs and Tactical (TaS) and Technical Skills (TeS) in professional football matches. Fifty-eight male football players (17.5 ± 1.4 years) from a French academy were assessed for PR activity, categorized into inactive or active PR groups. Assessed PRs included asymmetrical tonic neck reflex (ATNR), symmetrical tonic neck reflex (STNR), tonic labyrinthine reflex (TLR), and Moro reflex (MR). Analysis of twenty matches showed players with active PRs had significantly lower success rates in TaS and TeS, including 15.5% and 31.8% lower pass success in imbalance and finishing zones (p < 0.01). Players with active PRs also performed worse in defensive actions and duels (p < 0.01). The findings highlight that active PRs hinder football performance, especially in challenging match situations like duels and crowded zones. This suggests the need for training programs to address PR effects and enhance player performance. Further research should refine methods for integrating these RPs.