Effects of Specific Fitness Training Program on Football Dribbling Skills for Secondary School Students

Yiting Xue; Wisute Tongdecharoen; Yurasin  Wattanapayungkul

doi:10.60027/iarj.2026.e293980

Authors

Yiting Xue Bangkokthonburi University, Thailand https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1683-4231
Wisute Tongdecharoen Bangkokthonburi University, Thailand https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5233-7533
Yurasin Wattanapayungkul Bangkokthonburi University, Thailand https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0414-7099

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.60027/iarj.2026.e293980

Keywords:

Football Dribbling Skills, Specific Fitness Training Program, Secondary School

Abstract

Background and Aims: Football dribbling requires integrated physical and cognitive capabilities. Traditional youth training often separates technical skills from physical conditioning, limiting performance development. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a specific fitness training program integrating neuromuscular, biomechanical, and cognitive principles on football dribbling skills among secondary school students.

Methodology: Thirty male students (aged 14) were randomly assigned to experimental (n=15) or control (n=15) groups. The experimental group completed an 8-week integrated training program combining neuromuscular and technical components, while controls followed traditional training. Assessments included 30-meter sprint, Agility T-test, vertical jump, eyes-closed balance, Illinois dribbling test, and 1v1 breakthrough success rate.

Results: The experimental group demonstrated significant superiority across all physical and dribbling measures (p<.05). Game-specific skills showed dramatic improvements, with 1v1 success rates increasing 75% versus 9% in controls. Physical capacities improved substantially: balance nearly tripled, agility enhanced 22%, and sprint speed increased 13% compared to controls. Progressive improvements occurred across all time points, indicating sustained adaptation throughout the intervention.

Conclusion: The integrated specific fitness training program significantly enhanced both fundamental physical capacities and football-specific dribbling skills. The systematic four-phase periodization model proved effective for sustained adaptation while preventing performance plateaus common in youth training interventions.

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