ORIGINAL ARTICLE  EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOMECHANICS 

The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2025 Mar 28

DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.25.16404-9

Copyright © 2025 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Enhancing change of direction speed in young soccer players through running technique training

Marek VRABLANSKÝ ^{1, 2}, Filip SKALA ³, Tomáš VENCÚRIK ² ✉

¹ SK Sigma Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic; ² Department of Sport Performance and Exercise Testing, Faculty of Sports Studies, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; ³ Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia

BACKGROUND: This study explored the impact of running technique training on change of direction (COD) speed in young soccer players across the U11, U13, and U18 age categories.
METHODS: Eighty-nine players participated and were divided into experimental (COD training [CODT]) and control (CON) groups in each category. The CODT group underwent a 4-week training program, conducted twice a week for fifteen minutes before regular training sessions. Pre- and post-testing used the 505 and Pro-Agility (5-10-5) tests.
RESULTS: Results indicated significant improvements for CODT U11 players in the 505 Test on the right foot (P=0.04, d=0.48) and the 5-10-5 Test (P<0.001, d=0.86). The U13 CODT players improved in the 5-10-5 Test (P<0.001, d=0.54), as well as the CODT U18 (P=0.001, d=1.04). Significant differences between CODT and CON groups were observed in the U11 category in the 5-10-5 Test.
CONCLUSIONS: The study concludes that running technique training before regular soccer sessions enhances COD speed, particularly in U11 and U18 players.

KEY WORDS: Adolescent; Exercise; Soccer; Team sports