Effect of 6-Weeks of SAQ Training on the Speed and Agility Parameters of U-18 Female Soccer Players
Slamet Raharjo, Mahmud Yunus, Raja Mohammed Firhad Raja Azidin, Eggy Nur Arfiansyah · Physical Education Theory and Methodology · 2026
Objectives: . To determine whether a six-week Speed, Agility, and Quickness (SAQ) training programme improves linear sprint performance and change-of-direction ability in adolescent female soccer players.
Materials and methods: . This randomized controlled trial included 48 adolescent female soccer players (mean age: 17 years), who were randomly assigned to either an SAQ training group (n = 24) or a control group (n = 24). Both groups completed three training sessions per week over a six-week intervention period. Linear sprint performance was assessed using the 30-m sprint test, and change-of-direction ability was evaluated using the Illinois Agility Test. Measurements were performed before and after the intervention.
Results: . No significant between-group differences were observed at baseline for any study variable (all p > 0.05). Following the intervention, significant group × time interactions were found for both 30-m sprint performance and Illinois Agility Test performance (both p < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the SAQ group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in sprint and agility performance. A modest but statistically significant improvement in 30-m sprint performance was also observed in the control group, whereas agility performance remained unchanged.
Conclusions: . A six-week SAQ training programme effectively improves linear sprint performance and change-of-direction ability in adolescent female soccer players. Incorporating structured SAQ exercises into regular soccer training provides greater improvements in these performance characteristics than conventional soccer training alone and may therefore be recommended as an effective component of physical conditioning programmes for youth female soccer players.