EFFECT OF PHYSICAL FITNESS TRAINING ALONGSIDE DRIBBLING THE BALL ON STRENGTH, SPEED, AGILITY, BALANCE, DRIBBLING ABILITY, AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC FITNESS IN 12-YEAR-OLD YOUTH SOCCER PLAYERS.
Keywords:
Interval Training, Agility, Balance, Aerobic Fitness, Anaerobic FitnessAbstract
This study aimed to compare the effects of physical fitness training combined with ball-dribbling practice on strength, speed, agility, balance, dribbling ability, aerobic fitness, and anaerobic fitness in 12-year-old youth soccer players. Twenty male soccer players aged 12 years were randomly assigned into two equal groups: the control group and the experimental group (n = 10 per group). The control group performed a circuit training program consisting of 7 sets, 2 bouts per set, with each bout lasting 15 seconds at maximal effort, and a 30-second rest interval between bouts. The experimental group followed the same circuit training protocol but added ball-dribbling training consisting of 9 bouts per station, 2 stations per session, each bout lasting 15 seconds at maximal effort, with 30 seconds of rest between bouts. Both groups trained three times per week for a total of eight weeks. Physical fitness was assessed using the following tests. Data were analyzed using a Two-Way Repeated Measures ANOVA, at a statistical significance level of 0.05
The results revealed that the mean values of all dependent variables significantly changed across the three time periods (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a significant interaction effect was observed between time and group, indicating that the experimental group showed greater improvements than the control group across all seven variables.
Conclusion. The Resistance Interval Training could be developed of strength, speed, agility, balance, dribbling ability, aerobic fitness, and anaerobic fitness for 12-year-old youth soccer players.
(Journal of Sports Science and Technology 2025; 25(2): 72-87)
(Received: 24 August 2025, Revised: 7 November 2025, Accepted: 18 November 2025)
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