Effect of game-specific training on agility, decision-making, and reaction time in football players

Abstract

Football players' agility, decision-making, and reaction time are examined after game-specific training. Thirty 18-25-year-old male footballers were separated into investigation and control groups. The investigation group completed an 8-week game-specific exercise program that simulated genuine match conditions, including tactical awareness, quick directional shifts, and split-second decision-making. Standardized examinations include the Illinois Agility Test, a football-specific decision-making evaluation, and a computerized reaction time test measured pre- and post-test performance. The investigation group displayed important increases in agility, decision-making accuracy, and reaction speed compared to the control group, which received standard training. These findings demonstrate that game-specific training improves football performance and propose incorporating it into regular training to maximize player growth.