Background: Soccer performance depends on superior
physical fitness, particularly agility, dynamic balance, and flexibility, to
prevent injuries and enhance on-field execution. While proprioceptive and yoga
training are independently recognised for improving these variables, the
synergistic effect of a combined intervention program remains underexplored in
youth athletic populations.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy
of a structured 12-week combined proprioceptive and yoga training program on
selected physical fitness variables among school-level male soccer players.
Methods: Forty-eight athletes (mean age: 15.2 ± 0.8
years) were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=24) that
underwent the combined training in addition to their regular soccer practice,
or a control group (n=24) that continued with standard practice alone. Agility
was assessed using the Illinois Agility Test, dynamic balance was measured with
the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), and flexibility was evaluated via the
Sit-and-Reach Test. Pre- and post-intervention data were collected and analysed
using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with a significance level set at
p<0.05.
Findings: Post-test results revealed statistically
significant improvements (p<0.01) in the experimental group compared to the
control group across all measured variables. The experimental group
demonstrated superior gains in agility (reduced completion time), dynamic
balance (increased reach distance in all SEBT directions), and flexibility.
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