Effects of Six Weeks Swiss Ball Training on Balance and Agility of College Soccer Players

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of six weeks of Swiss Ball Training (SBT) on balance and agility of college soccer players. A total of 19 male soccer players (AGE = 20 +/- 1.73 years, BW = 63.42 +/- 9.95 kg., H = 172.11 +/- 4.45 cm) participated in this study. The subjects were assigned randomly into the control group [CG] (n = 10) and experimental group [EG] (n = 9). The two groups had similar 6-week soccer programme while SBT was given to the EG twice a week, 60 minutes per session, as additional programme. The subjects were tested on static balance using the Standing Stork Test (alpha =0.969), dynamic balance using the Four Step Square Test (alpha = 0.818), and agility using the Illinois Agility Test (alpha = 0.965). The two groups were equivalent on the pre-test for the three variables revealing insignificant results. Similarly, the post-test results showed insignificant difference in the three variables. However, pre-test and post-test comparison revealed that there was significant improvement in static balance, dynamic balance and in agility for the EG. In conclusion, there is insufficient evidence to support that the SBT could enhance performance in balance and agility of college players.