THE EFFECTS OF A 6-MONTHS PROPRIOCEPTION TRAINING PROGRAM ON AGILITY IN YOUNG FOOTBALL PLAYERS

The purpose of this study was to determine if proprioceptive training can be effective to improve male football players’ agility (Christou et al, 2006). Sixty-two students (17 ± 0.3 yrs) of the “Drita” high school (Kichevo, Republic of Macedonia) were recruited for this study and divided in two sub-groups [control (CG) and experimental (EXG)] to be involved in a pre- and post- training measurement design. All participants were football players and were attending a period of six months of football training planned with three 45-minute weekly sessions. In particular the CG (N=31) followed a standard (physical, technical and tactical) football program, while the EXG (N=31) was also exposed to specific proprioceptive drills. The effects of a proprioceptive program, if any, were assessed by means of two specific agility tests: 505 Agility Test (505AT) and Illinois Agility Test (IAT) without the ball. The analysis of pre and post 505 AT and IAT performances were carried out by means of ANOVA with repeated measures. The result of the initial state at the 505 AT test in the controlled group is 2.9110, whereas the final result has the value of 2.6926. On the other hand, in the experimental group, the value of the initial state of the same test is 2.8955 sec and after the 6-months training program, the result is improved and is worth 2.5658 sec. The results revealed a significant difference between pre and post measures in 505 AT (p<0.05). The result of the initial state at the IAT test in the control group is 17.5032 sec whereas the final result has the value 16.0381sec. On the other hand, in the experimental group, the value of the initial state of the same test is 18.1761 sec and after the 6-months training program, the result is improved and is worth 16.3803 sec. The results revealed a significant difference between pre and post measures in IAT (p