Impact of SAQ training on speed agility and balance among soccer players

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of SAQ (Speed, Agility, and Quickness) training on speed, agility, and balance among soccer players. Twenty-four male soccer players, aged between 18 and 25 years, from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, were randomly selected as participants. The subjects were divided into two groups: Group I underwent SAQ training, while Group II served as the control group. The experimental group participated in SAQ training sessions three times a week on alternate days for a duration of six weeks. In this study, SAQ training was considered the independent variable, and the dependent variables were speed, agility, and balance. These were measured using standardized test protocols: speed was assessed through the 50-metre sprint (measured in seconds), agility was measured using the shuttle run test (In seconds), and balance was evaluated using the stork stand test (In seconds). A randomized group design with pre-test and post-test measures was utilized for the study. Data were collected from all participants before and after the training period and analyzed using the dependent ‘t’-test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The findings showed a significant improvement in speed, agility, and balance among participants in the SAQ training group compared to the control group, demonstrating the effectiveness of the SAQ training program.