The Effect of Agility Training on Athletic Power Performance

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of agility training (training of acceleration, deceleration and quick change of the direction of movement) on athletic power performance. Eighty healthy male college students (age 19±1.1 years; body mass 77.2±7.1 kg; body height 180.1±7.1 cm; body fat percentage 10.8±1.6) participated in this study. The study was a randomized controlled trial. The subjects were assigned randomly to an experimental group (EG; n=40) and control group (CG; n=40). Statistically significant differences were determined within the experimental group both in the initial and in the final measurement (p<.05), whereas significant differences were found between the experimental and the control group in the final measurement (p<.05). Changes in muscle power were assessed through the jumping height in a counter-movement jump (CMJ). The experimental group significantly (p<.05) improved in the jumping height in CMJ (43.17 vs 44.01 cm), counter-movement jump from the left leg (CMJ1L) (29.66 vs 30.12 cm) and counter-movement jump from the right leg (CMJ1R) (28.77 vs 29.11 cm). The values achieved by the subjects from the experimental group ranged from low values for the standing long jump (SLJ), to moderate values for the counter-movement jump (CMJ), to high values for the 5m sprint (SP5). To enhance explosive muscle power and dynamic athletic performance, complex agility training can be used. Therefore, in addition to the well known training methods such as resistance training and plyometric training, strength and conditioning professionals may efficiently incorporate agility training into an overall conditioning programme of athletes striving to achieve a high level of explosive leg power and dynamic athletic performance.