The effect of back-up training on heading ability in football players: a study at the State School for Sports Talent in Aceh
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.68574/sportk.383Keywords:
Back-up Training, Football Heading, Physical Education, Junior High School, Motor SkillsAbstract
This study examined the effect of back-up training—a trunk-strengthening exercise—on football heading ability among eighth-grade male students at the State School for Sports Talent, Aceh. A quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest approach was employed. A total of 22 students were purposively selected from a population of 107 and proportionally assigned across four classes: VIIIa (n=6), VIIIb (n=5), VIIIc (n=6), and VIIId (n=5). The intervention consisted of structured back-up training sessions conducted three times per week for six weeks. Heading performance was assessed before and after the intervention using a standardized 60-second heading test evaluating both accuracy and technique. The results revealed a statistically significant improvement (t(21)=22.52, p<0.001) in heading performance, with a large effect size (Cohen’s d=4.80). Regression analysis yielded a positive coefficient (B=0.84, R²=0.72), indicating that back-up training was a strong predictor of post-test heading outcomes. These findings offer a novel perspective for integrating trunk-focused exercises into school-based football coaching and physical education curricula. The study underscores the role of targeted neuromuscular conditioning in enhancing sport-specific skills and provides practical guidance for coaches and educators seeking effective, scalable interventions for youth development.
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