Optimization of Simple and Choice Reaction Time in Adolescent Football Players
Abstract
This study examined junior football players aged 12–14 years competing in the U14 category of the National Football Championship during the 2024/2025 competitive season. The purpose of the research was to monitor changes in reaction time following an eight-month structured training program focused on agility-based exercises. Assessment protocols included both physical variables (reaction speed and agility) and cognitive components (reaction time and task accuracy). Simple reaction time and choice reaction time were evaluated using the Cognitrom Assessment System (CAS++). Measurements were conducted at two time points: before and after the training intervention. Data analysis focused on mean reaction time, number of errors, omissions, and reaction time stability. Statistically significant improvements were observed between pre- and post-intervention assessments for both simple reaction time (t(19) = 9.509, p < .001, Cohen’s d = 1.94) and choice reaction time (t(19) = 6.35, p < .001, Cohen’s d = 1.30). These findings are consistent with existing literature indicating that reaction time in competitive athletes can be enhanced through targeted training programs. The results suggest that sustained, sport-specific training can significantly improve speed, agility, and reaction time in junior football players, contributing to enhanced overall performance.
References
Burhaein, E., Ibrahim, B.K., and Pavlovic, R. (2020). The relationship of limb muscle power, balance, and coordination with instep shooting ability: A correlation study in under-18 football athletes. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 8(5), 265 – 270. https://doi.org/10.13189/saj.2020.080515
Fonseca, R.T., Castro, J.B.P. de, Santos, A.O.B. dos, Lopes, G.C., Nunes, R. de A.M., and Vale, R.G. de S. (2023). Soccer as a sport demands a series of situations where explosive strength is determinant. Retos, 39, 981–987.
França, C., Gouveia, É., Caldeira, R., Marques, A., Martins, J., Lopes, H., Henriques, R., et al. (2022). Speed and Agility Predictors among Adolescent Male Football Players. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (5), 2856-2863.
Gil, S.M., Gil, J., Ruiz, F., Irazusta, A., and Irazusta, J. (2007). Physiological and anthropometric characteristics of young soccer players according to their playing position: Relevance for the selection process. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 21(2), 438-445. https://doi.org/10.1519/r-19995.1.
Gu Haimin (2021). Strengthen coordination training to improve the football level of primary school students [J]. Basic Education Forum, 1(08), 103-104.
IBM Corp. Released (2016). IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 24.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.
Ihsan, N., Okilanda, A., Donie, Putra, D.D., Wanto, S., and Arisman. (2022). Practical Group Defense Exercise Design in Football Game for 13-Year-Old Students. Physical Education Theory and Methodology, 22(2), 194–201.
Khasanah, R.N., and Hariyoko, H. (2023). Development of learning media for physical education, sports, and health on basic football techniques based on articulate storyline application. Indonesian Journal of Research in Physical Education, Sport, and Health (IJRPESH), 1(1), 8–14. Retrieved from http://journalfik.um.ac.id/index.php/ijrpesh/article/view/2
Kumar, R. (2017). Impact of physical education and sports in promoting social values among youth. The International Journal of Indian Psychology, 4(2), 84-87.
Lee, Y.-S., Lee, D., Ahn, N.Y. (2024). SAQ training on sprint, change-of-direction speed, and agility in U-20 female football players. PLoS ONE 19(3): e0299204. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0299204
Liakh, V., and Vitkovskij, Z. (2010). Coordination training in football. Soviet Sport. (In Russian).
Ling, D.I., Cepeda, N.A., Marom, N., Jivanelli, B., and Marx, R.G. (2020). Injury prevention programmes with plyometric and strengthening exercises improve on-field performance: a systematic review. Journal of ISAKOS, 5(1), 48–59. https://doi.org/10.1136/jisakos-2019-000385.
Lockie, R.G., Dawes, J.J., and Jones, M.T. (2018). Relationships between linear speed and lower-body power with change-of-direction speed in national collegiate athletic association divisions I and II women soccer athletes. Sports (Basel) 6, 30. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1171636.
Marques, M.C., Pereira, A., Reis, I.G., and van den Tillaar, R. (2013). Does an in-season 6- week combined sprint and jump training program improve strength-speed abilities and kicking performance in young soccer players? Journal of Human Kinetics, 39, 157-166. https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-2013-0078.
Papp, E.G., Cimpean, R., Cherhat, M.P., and Rus, V. (2022). The Benefits of Unified Football in Children with Mental Disabilities. A Pilot Study. Romanian Journal of Physical Therapy/Revista Romana de Kinetoterapie, 28(48).
Pearson A. (2001). Speed, agility and quickness for soccer: SAQ soccer. A and C Black.
Polman R, Bloomfield J, Edwards A. (2009). Effects of SAQ training and small-sided games on neuromuscular functioning in untrained subjects. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 4(4), 494–505.
Prasetyo, A.B., Doewes, M., and Purnama, S.K. (2019). Development of football sports agility model in special preparation stage. Journal of Education, Health and Sport, 9(6), 130-136.
Prasetyo, A.B.E., Doewes, M., and Purnama, S.K. (2019). Development of football sports agility model in special preparation stage. Journal of Education, Health and Sport, 9(6), 130- 136. http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3238209.
Rozsnyai, R.A. (2020). Îmbunătățirea performanței sportive prin dezvoltarea vitezei și a coordonării la fotbaliștii juniori de 14–16 ani [Doctoral Thesis, UBB Cluj-Napoca, in Romanian]. REI.
Rumpf, M.C., Lockie, R.G., Cronin, J.B., Jalilvand, F. (2016). Effect of Different Sprint Training Methods on Sprint Performance Over Various Distances: A Brief Review. J Strength Cond Res, 30(6), 1767-85. http://dx.doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001245.
Copyright© 2026 The Author(s). Published by ASERS Publishing 2026. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of CC-BY 4.0 license.