Effects of speed, agility and quickness training programme on cognitive and physical performance in preadolescent soccer players

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a short-term (4 weeks) non-soccer-specific training programme based on speed, agility and quickness (SAQ) and a soccer-specific training programme based on small-sided games (SSG) on cognitive and physical performance in preadolescent soccer players. Twenty-one participants were randomly assigned to SAQ group (n = 11) or SSG group (n = 10). They were tested pre and post interventions on physical (5 m sprint, 20 m sprint and sprint with turns of 90 degrees) and cognitive (inhibitory control by means of the Flanker task and perceptual speed by means of the visual search task) performances. Although no significant time x group interactions were observed, the main effect of time was significant for cognitive performance and 5 m and 20 m sprint, showing improvements after both SAQ and SSG. These findings highlight that 4 weeks of SAQ training programme induced comparable improvements in cognitive and physical performance with respect to a soccer-specific training programme based on SSG in preadolescent soccer players. Non-sport-specific activities targeting speed, agility and quickness combined with cognitive engagement (i.e., SAQ) should be useful strategies as soccer-specific activities to be included within a soccer training programme for promoting both physical and cognitive domain in preadolescent individuals.

Automated summary

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a short-term non-soccer-specific training and soccer-specific training on cognitive and physical performance in preadolescent soccer players. The results showed that both the non-soccer-specific training and soccer-specific training led to improvements in cognitive and physical performance. This suggests that non-sport-specific activities targeting speed, agility and quickness combined with cognitive engagement should be included in soccer training programs to promote both physical and cognitive development in preadolescent individuals.