Comparative effects of reactive and planned agility training on physical performance, internal load and enjoyment in youth soccer players

Abstract

Abstract Agility is a key determinant of soccer performance, combining mechanical change of direction (COD) ability with perceptual and decision-making processes. This study compared the effects of reactive agility (RA) and planned agility (PA) training on physical performance, internal load, and enjoyment in youth soccer players during the in-season period. In a randomized, volume-matched, 8-week intervention, 18 under-16 male players were assigned to a RA (RAG) or PA (PAG) training group. Pre- and post-testing included 10- and 20-m sprints, reactive agility without and with the ball (RAT, RATB), COD and COD with the ball (CODB), countermovement jump (CMJ), balance, and endurance-intensive fitness. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) were recorded after each session. Both groups showed significant ( p  < 0.05) pre-post improvements in S10, S20, COD, CODB, CMJ, balance, and endurance-intensive fitness, with no significant group × time interaction for these outcomes. In contrast, large time × group interactions were observed only for RAT and RATB (both p  < 0.001; ηp 2  = 0.519 and 0.762, respectively), with RAG being 2.3% and 2.0% faster than PAG, respectively. PACES scores were significantly higher in RAG ( p  < 0.001; d = 9.64), while RPE did not differ between groups ( p  > 0.05). This randomized, volume-matched, in-season comparison demonstrates that stimulus-driven RA provides additional task-specific gains in reactive agility and higher enjoyment, without increasing RPE, compared with PA in youth soccer. Accordingly, integrating brief weekly RA blocks (cue-rich, game-representative drills, with and without the ball) alongside PA may further optimize agility adaptations and adherence in youth soccer.