EFFECTS OF LADDER TRAINING ON AGILITY IN FEMALE UNIVERSITY FUTSAL PLAYERS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of ladder training on agility in female university futsal players. Subjects were eleven futsal female players, aged between 19-22 years old fromUttaraditRajabhat University. Theywere randomly divided into two groups, the experimental (EX) and control (CON) group. Six subjects in the EX group practiced ladder skill with futsal skill, while 5 subjects in CON group were only trained futsal skill. Both groups underwent training program 3 times a week for 6 weeks. The obtained data after training program were analyzed using dependent pair t-test and independent t-test. The results showed that after 6thweek of training, flexibility, back strength, leg muscular power, agility, maximum power, average power, and cardiorespiratory endurance in EX group were greater than before training at .05 level and the agility, maximum power, average power, and cardiorespiratory endurance of the EX group were significantly better than the CON group at .05 level. In conclusion, ladder training can improve agility in futsal players. This improvement may be related to the design of training program which focus on step movement and maximum speed of training. As a result, the ladder training is considered as one practice program to improve agility in futsal players.