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 intensity
football 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 objective
60 football players were taken as the subjects of the study. These subjects were distributed in to three high
intensity football specific circuit training group (N1=20), moderate intensity football specific circuit training
group (N2=20) and control group (N=20) using random sampling technique. The high intensity football
specific circuit training group and moderate intensity football specific circuit training group were engaged
in high intensity football specific circuit training and moderate intensity football specific circuit training
respectively. The selected variables were agility, explosive strength and speed. The data was collected using
the standardized tests such as zigzag run test for Agility, 30 meter speed test for Speed and Standing long
jump test for Explosive strength.. The data was analyzed using ANCOVA and bonefferani post hoc test for
paired mean comparison when significant difference exists.
Result: Our finding indicated that the HICT group increased significantly in agility, explosive strength
and 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 and
speed 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 strength
and 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 mean
difference of (-.180, P = .099).
Conclusion: From the finding we concluded that the intensity of circuit training is very crucial for the
magnitude of adaptation in circuit training. Thus for the effectiveness of circuit training the plan of trainers
or coaches should seriously consider the intensity to bring the intended or required changes.