Soccer Players' Agility: Complex Laboratory Testing for Differential Training

The aim of the proposed study was to evaluate parameters of quickness, coordination and speed that influence the specific agility in soccer. Twenty-four young healthy male soccer players born in 2004 (mean age 14.7 +/- 0.7 years) underwent complex laboratory testing including anthropometric measurements, simple and complex visual-motor reaction (VMR), Tapping test, cycling Wingate test and FitLight-trainer tests. Obtained data allowed to estimate speed and power abilities of soccer players, as well as establish interrelations between the measured parameters throughout the tests. Six soccer players demonstrated excellent ability to work in conditions that require high concentration and speed of switching attention (complex VMR < 270 ms) and 4 athletes (complex VMR > 320 ms) - poor level. Results of Wingate test showed, that studied athletes had sufficient power abilities of lower extremities for soccer players in respect to their age (PP/kg - 12.56 +/- 3.38 W/kg). 16.7 % (n=4) of athletes showed high results in all FitLight tests. The suggested system of laboratory tests for evaluation of agility structural components so important in soccer, allowed to emphasize athlete's weaknesses in order to improve it. Thus, testing of non-planned agility should include at least simple and complex reaction rate, coordination tests and speed-and-strength abilities evaluation.