Current research has adopted a common theme in the literature which is the role of structured, sport-specific training programs to improve performance (Raya-González et al., 2021). Historically, football training practices often orientated towards technical and tactical modules, but through recent studies, we know that purposeful motor programs, designed in a scientific manner, can improve physical and physiological characteristics. Pricop et al. (2022) conducted a study examining the effects of structured programs amongst young football players, and by virtue of their findings demonstrated marked improvements in measures of running speed, endurance, and abdominal strength (Brito et al., 2020).

In addition to the previous studies, Zhang et al. (2022) looked at the effect of after-school football on children’s physical fitness levels. They found increases in basic physical qualities and showed that regular participation in a sport-specific program improved overall athletic ability in children (Rodriguez-Fernandez et al., 2019; Yanci et al., 2019).

Agility is a key performance factor in football, as it allows the player to change direction quickly, avoid another player, or react to the unknown aspects of a football game. For this reason, research has begun to emphasize training methods that can improve this ability. Doganay et al. (2020) investigated how core training affected agility and quickness in adolescent football players and showed that agility and quickness significantly improved after the core training intervention. Because core stability provides a strong base for vertical and explosive movements, it is no surprise the researchers found support for the notion that strengthening the stabilization musculature in the center of the body builds a more functional athlete in terms of agility and general performance.

Furthermore, agility training is frequently combined with exercises that develop neuromuscular coordination. The strengthening of stabilizing muscles and improvement of neuromuscular control and body awareness will contribute to quicker change of direction abilities and injury prevention. The combination of these properties has led to the incorporation of core training into the conditioning programs of youth players. Pereira et al. (2019) emphasized that change of direction ability is closely related to speed and muscular power in both male and female soccer players, reinforcing the need to train.

Resistance and plyometric training have arguably received the most attention in literature when discussing training methods for improving performance in football. Ghosh and Biswas (2020) compared the two training modes, and they found that resistance and plyometric training help young players to run faster. Resistance training helps in building muscle and strength, while plyometric helps to react more quickly. When these training methods are used together, it improves the player’s speed and strength which are useful in a match. Similarly, Hammami et al. (2019) showed that combining plyometric and short sprint training improved enhanced speed, agility, and power in U19 soccer players.

The study found that plyometric training in college football players has made positive improvements in their fitness. Plyometric training helped players became more volatile, and improved their breathing efficiency. This shows that plyometric training is very useful for football players.

Vassil and Bazanov (2018) studied plyometric training in volley ball players and they stated that it greatly improved their ability. Even though the study is on volley ball players the sports involves intense activity similar to football. So, it can be applied to football players due to the similarity. This also further supports the rationale to include plyometric exercises in the resistance training component of a soccer training program.

Training methods characterized as sprint interval training (SIT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) are emerging as valuable conditioning modalities in soccer. These methods simulate the intermittent bouts of exercise that are inherent to its game, and thus improves both the aerobic and anaerobic systems of the body. Koral et al. (2018) found that short-term sprint interval training improved the aerobic system, and running performance in trained athletes. Improvements in the aerobic system and running performance may result in improved repeated sprint ability and recovery, which has a positive impact on a soccer player’s ability to maintain playing performance over an entire soccer match.

Examined the influence of high-intensity interval training and found that HIIT improved the aerobic system of elite soccer players. The authors noted that the HIIT method of training is effective, time-efficient and provides substantial fitness benefits in a short interval of time. All of this information is consistent with the recent trend of implementing sport specific drills that replicate the intensity patterning of competition.

In sum, these findings provide strong evidence against the superiority or exclusivity of training modalities. Instead, a balanced and integrative approach seems to provide the best outcome with an array of evidence supporting both muscular strength and explosive power in combination with plyometrics, while higher intensity intervals or sprinting exploits both aerobic and anaerobic endurance. Core training is important for fitness, it helps in improving balance, stability and strength.

These findings show that players need well-planned training programs, for proper development. Based on the developmental stage, in particular youth athletes, specific structured motor plans will offer the best option for developing physical literacy and sports performance history. As athletes develop through playing years, specific evidence can be employed in more rigorous training protocols, such as resistance training and HIIT, while still developing a reduced risk for injury.

The sample included a total of 40 boys aged 14–17 years, and all were playing football and enrolled in high schools in the state of Kerala. The sample was selected using a convenience sampling approach simply based on those that were available and wanting to participate during the academic year. Convenience sampling can limit how generalizable findings might be, but the researchers found it to be reasonable due to several factors such as time and resource limits, but also due to the practical inclusion of a decentralized youth population of athlete participants.

The participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 20) or a control group (n=20). The groups were similar by age, fitness, and playing experience to limit confounds as best as possible. Prior to the study, the participants were told about the purpose and the process of the study. Participants and their guardians signed an informed consent form by recognizing the study was voluntary. Ethical protocols for doing research with minors were followed, including confidentiality and an ability to withdraw and further study.

Two standardized physical performance tests were utilized to measure the dependent variables of agility and anaerobic endurance:

Baseline testing was done for both groups before the training. Players were instructed to not to do any hard exercises for 24 hours before testing so tiredness would not be a factor to affect the result. All tests were done in outdoor to keep the results fair.

The data was analyzed using SPSS software. Two tests were used:

Ethical compliance was a mainspring throughout the study. Each participant was informed about the nature and the purpose of the research, and parental consent was obtained because of their status as minors. All participants were guaranteed that their data would be treated with confidentiality and used only for the study. They were also informed they had the right to withdraw from the study without any repercussion.

H1: It is hypothesiszed that there will be significant improvement in agility due to specific conditioning training on experimental group when compared to the control group. The statistical analysis employed a significance level of 0.05 and yielded a p-value of <0.001. Since the p-value (<0.001) is smaller than the chosen significance level (0.05), the hypothesis is accepted (Figures 1–5).

H2: It was hypothesized that there will be significant improvement in anaerobic endurance due to specific conditioning training on experimental group when compared to the control group. The statistical analysis employed a significance level of 0.05 and yielded a p-value of 0.044. Since the p-value (0.044) is smaller than the chosen significance level (0.05), the hypothesis is accepted (Figures 6–9).