Development of Agility and Speed Through Fundamental Phase LTAD Training in Young Girls: A School-Based Experimental Study

Abstract

The current research investigated the impact of a 12-week fundamental phase Long-term Athlete Development training program on agility and speed of young girls between 6 and 9 years in Punjab Pakistan. Randomized pretest- posttest controlled experimental design was used. A sample population of 40 participants was randomly selected into the experimental group (n = 20), and control group (n = 20). The experimental group was involved in a structured intervention based on LTAD, and the control group provided normal school operations. The Illinois Agility Test and 20-meter dash test were used to measure agility and speed, respectively. Independent samples t-tests did not reveal any significant differences between the groups at baseline (p > .05). Paired-samples t-tests showed that speed (t = 23.19, p <.001, d = 5.19) and agility (t = 49.83, p <.001, d = 11.15) were significantly improved in the experimental group as compared to the control group. Repeated measures ANCOVA demonstrated significant Time × Group interaction effects for speed (F = 269.04, p < .001, η² = .876) and agility (F = 1241.33, p < .001, η² = .970). It shows that Fundamental phase LTAD training is effective in enhancing performance of young girls with the use of physical literacy.

Keywords: Child; physical literacy; motor skills; agility & speed training.