Effects of Training with an Agility Ladder on Sprint, Agility, and Dribbling Performance in Youth Soccer Players

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of coordination training using an agility ladder compared with a control group on physical fitness and technical performance in youth soccer players. Eighteen male youth soccer players (age: 12.2 ± 0.4 years; body height: 158.3 ± 10.8 cm; body mass: 45.0 ± 8.0 kg) were randomly assigned to an agility ladder group (n = 10) or a control group (n = 8). The intervention program was carried out three times a week over six weeks. Before and after the training period, the 10 m sprint, 20 m sprint, dribbling speed test, agility test, and slalom dribbling test performances were assessed. Within-group analysis showed significant improvements (p < 0.005) in 10 m and 20 m sprint performance from the pre- to the post-test for the agility ladder group (-2.39% and -2.10%) and the control group (-2.54% and -1.44%). No significant differences (p > 0.005) were found from the pre- to the post-test in the dribbling speed test, agility test, slalom dribbling test, and skill index. In the between-group analysis, there were no differences between the agility ladder group and the control group in any variable. In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest coordination training with an agility ladder does not seem to be effective to improve physical fitness and dribbling. Therefore, this information could be beneficial to players and coaches for programming tasks during soccer training sessions.

The Effects of Agility Ladders on Performance: A Systematic Review

“…Padrón-Cabo et al [34] carried out a 6-week agility ladder training with 18 young male soccer players (12.2 ± 0.4 years old), divided into an agility ladder group (n = 10) or a control group (n = 8). The subjects in the experimental group practiced three times per week and were evaluated for 10 m sprint, 20 m sprint, dribbling speed test, agility test, slalom dribbling test and skill index, meaning this study was the most multidimensional in terms of performance measures.…”

“…The study using the most comprehensive performance assessment was conducted by Padrón-Cabo et. [34], who applied six tests. As such, studies analyzing multidimensional effects of agility ladder drills on performance are lacking, and only one of the studies used a sport-specific test [34].…”

“…[34], who applied six tests. As such, studies analyzing multidimensional effects of agility ladder drills on performance are lacking, and only one of the studies used a sport-specific test [34]. Furthermore, all tests were highly standardized, with no unexpected variations, which negates the highly prominent role of reactive decision-making as a core component of agility [3].…”

“…Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane's RoB 2 (▶ Table 2). All studies presented high risk of bias arising from the randomization process, with the exception of Padrón-Cabo et al [34]. Bias due to deviations from intended interventions and bias due to missing outcome data was low for four studies [10,18,34,36] and high for one study [35].…”

“…The final sample consisted of five articles: Meng and Lee [10], Ng, Cheung and Sum [18,34], Roopchand-Martin et al [35] and Sethu [36]. The process is synthesized in ▶Fig.…”