Enhancing Soccer Athletes' Performance: A Kinematic Analysis of Agility Training

Purpose: in contemporary sports science research, understanding the effects of training programs on athletic performance is crucial. the agility t-test is a fundamental tool for assessing movement proficiency in athletes, particularly in sports like football characterized by multidirectional movements. the aim of the study was to determine how a particular training program affected the agility and kinematic performance of young soccer players during the agility t-test. methods: 20 football players were initially recruited, but after excluding 4 participants, the final analysis was conducted on a cohort of 17 players. the agility was assessed using an agility t-test, which consisted of 5 phases: forward run, 3 side runs (right, left, right, and left, right, left), and backward run. the test was considered dominant if the first change of direction was executed in the dominant foot’s direction, and non-dominant otherwise. each player performed the agility t-test two times (dominant and non- dominant) per each time points: pre-period training and post-period training. the performance was assessed by measuring the test execution time. kinematic data were collected using a set of 7 inertial sensors (xsens mtw awinda). the kinematics parameters analyzed were the peaks and range of motion (rom) of the knee, hip, and ankle joints. a paired t-test was used to compare all the parameters (pre vs post training). results: the study results showed a notable improvement in test performance, with a mean reduction of 1 s for the dominant side (p<0.001) and 0.9 s for the non- dominant side (p<0.001) after the training. in terms of kinematic analysis, significant differences in the joints’ rom at different phases were found. there was a noticeable increase in both sides’ knee joint rom throughout the forward run. there was a significant increase in hip internal and external rotation rom for both the dominant (p = 0.018) and non-dominant (p = 0.047) sides. the ankle showed a substantial decrease in plantar/dorsiflexion rom (p = 0.001) and an increase in pronation/supination rom (p<0.001). variations in knee flexion/extension rom were noticeable throughout the lateral runs, and they were statistically significant for both the dominant (p = 0.002) and non- dominant (p = 0.03) sides. comparing the backward run to the forward run, similar outcomes were seen. all the knee motions showed significant differences, and the hip internal/external rotation (only for the dominant side). conclusions: in conclusion, the study highlights the effectiveness of targeted training for agility and kinematic performance in soccer. exercises focusing on strength, coordination, and speed over four months notably reduced test times, linked to improved lower limb strength and coordination.