Effect of Varied Intensity of Football Specific Circuit Training on Agility, Speed and Explosive Strength among U-17 Football Players in Ethiopia

Abstract

Objective: The purpose ofthis study was to examine the effect of high intensity and moderate intensityfootball specific circuit training on selected motor fitness variables among football players in Ethiopia.Method: For the purpose of this study random group design was implemented. To achieve this objective60 football players were taken as the subjects of the study. These subjects were distributed in to three highintensity football specific circuit training group (N1=20), moderate intensity football specific circuit traininggroup (N2=20) and control group (N=20) using random sampling technique. The high intensity footballspecific circuit training group and moderate intensity football specific circuit training group were engagedin high intensity football specific circuit training and moderate intensity football specific circuit trainingrespectively. The selected variables were agility, explosive strength and speed. The data was collected usingthe standardized tests such as zigzag run test for Agility, 30 meter speed test for Speed and Standing longjump test for Explosive strength.. The data was analyzed using ANCOVA and bonefferani post hoc test forpaired mean comparison when significant difference exists.Result: Our finding indicated that the HICT group increased significantly in agility, explosive strengthand speed than the control group with a mean difference made (-.743, P=.000), .(360, P=.000) and (-.725,P=.000) respectively. The MICT group also showed significant difference on speed, explosive strength andspeed than the control group with a mean difference made (-.562, P=.000), (.236, P=.000) and (-.367, P=.000)respectively. Moreover the difference made between the HICT group and MICT group on explosive strengthand speed was significant with a mean difference made (.125, P=.000) and (-.358, P=.000) respectively.Whereas the HICT group and MICT group didn’t show significant difference on their agility with a meandifference of (-.180, P = .099).Conclusion: From the finding we concluded that the intensity of circuit training is very crucial for themagnitude of adaptation in circuit training. Thus for the effectiveness of circuit training the plan of trainersor coaches should seriously consider the intensity to bring the intended or required changes.