Enhancing soccer athletes' performance: a kinematic analysis of agility training

This study investigates how a targeted training program impacts agility and kinematic performance in soccer players. The Agility T-test was used to measure dynamic movement skills, focusing on execution time and joint movements. Seventeen players performed the test under dominant and non-dominant conditions at two time points—baseline (after summer) and follow-up (after winter). The first change of direction classified trials as dominant or non-dominant. Motion data were captured with Xsens MTw Awinda sensors, and paired t-tests compared baseline and follow-up results. The analysis showed a clear improvement in performance. Execution times decreased by an average of 1.03 seconds on the dominant side and 0.9 seconds on the non-dominant side. Key kinematic changes included a greater range of motion at the knee during forward running and better hip rotation control on both sides. Interestingly, a reduction in ankle plantar and dorsiflexion range of motion was observed. Significant changes were also noted in knee internal rotation during lateral shufflings. These findings highlight the program's effectiveness in enhancing agility and movement efficiency through improved lower limb strength and motor coordination developed over the four-month training program.