Journal of Physical Education and Sport

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of a training program on physical performance in junior male soccer players.Methods: Twenty five players (mean age = 13.28 ± 0.45 years), were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n-13) or a control group (n-12).The experimental group followed the warm-up training program, 5 days per week for 12 weeks.The control group performed the usual warm-up training.Before, middle and after the intervention, both groups performed a battery of soccer-specific physical tests, including (1) Standing long jump test (explosive leg power), (2) Sargent jump test (vertical leg power), (3) Illinois agility test (agility), (4) Prone hold test (core stability/abdominal muscle endurance), and (5) Running speed test (speed).Data were analyzed by Repeated Measures ANOVA for comparison between groups to evaluate the changes over time.Results: At the end of the intervention the experimental group showed superior changes compared to the control group for explosive leg power (12.85% vs 1.58%), vertical leg power (18.45% vs 3.78%), agility (-4.49% vs 0.76%), muscle endurance (98.85% vs 8.08%) and running speed (-6.16% vs 1.11%).Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that the warm-up training program is an appropriate and effective tool for improving soccer-specific physical performance characteristics of junior soccer players.