Impact of Agility Training on Anthropometric, Physical Fitness, Kinematic and Skill Performance of University and Club Football Players: An Experimental Study in Bahawalpur, Pakistan

Abstract

This study examined the effect of an 8-week agility training program on anthropometric measures, physical fitness, kinematic variables, and football skill performance among male football players from university and clubs in Bahawalpur City. Sixty male football players aged 17-25 years were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=30) and a control group (n=30). The experimental group underwent a structured agility training program (SAQ-based drills, 3 sessions/week for 8 weeks), while the control group followed routine training. Anthropometric variables (body mass, stature, 8 skinfolds, girths, lengths), physical fitness (speed 30m, flexibility sit-and-reach, Illinois agility, standing broad jump, 600m endurance, vertical jump, sit-ups, handgrip), kinematics (stride length, knee and elbow angles during approach phase (AP), foot contact (FC), and follow-through (FT) of kicking, analyzed via Kinovea software) and skill performance (football accuracy, distance, dribbling) were measured pre- and post-intervention. One-way ANOVA with repeated measures and Tukey's post hoc was applied (p<0.05). Experimental group showed significant reductions in triceps (p=0.004), biceps (p=0.007), abdominal (p=0.002) skinfolds and wrist (p=0.02), forearm (p=0.01), chest (p=0.03), calf (p=0.01), arm flexed (p=0.01), arm relaxed (p=0.03), hip (p<0.01) girths. Significant improvements were observed in 600m endurance (p<0.001) and vertical jump (p=0.03). Kinematic analysis revealed significant changes in right knee angle (AP p<0.001, FC p=0.01), left knee angle (AP p<0.001, FC p<0.001), left elbow angle (AP p<0.001, FC p<0.001), right elbow angle (AP p=0.02, FC p<0.001), stride length (FC p=0.01, FT p<0.001) and right elbow angle (FT p<0.001). Eight weeks of agility training significantly improves body composition, lower limb power, endurance, and optimizes kicking kinematics, suggesting its integration into regular training for university and club level football players to enhance performance and reduce injury risk.