Agility Training in Adolescent Pencak Silat Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Experimental Study

Problem Formulation and Objectives. Previous research has discussed various training models to improve agility. However, research that focuses on one form of ladder drills involving one sport in a very limited age category to get better results. This study aims to analyze how big the influence of ladder drills training is on increasing the agility of pencak silat athletes in adolescence. Method. This research used a quasi-experimental design involving 30 young male pencak silat athletes aged 13-15 years. This research used a two group pre-test – post-test design with a comparison/control group. In the treatment group, ladder drills were given for 16 meeting sessions with a frequency of 4 sessions per week for 4 weeks, the maximum level of training intensity/quality (pulse/minute) given was 180 times/minute, with a loading duration ranging from 15 – 30 seconds. , repetition 2 – 4 repetitions, sets done 2 – 3 sets and recovery 2 minutes/repitation by carrying out 10 variations of the movements in the ladder drills exercise. Meanwhile, the control group was not given ladder drills, only taking pre-test and post-test data. Agility data was obtained from the Illinois agility test, both in obtaining pre-test and post-test data, then statistically analyzed using the T-Test. Results. These findings show that in the treatment group there was a significant influence on the agility of adolescent pencak silat athletes who were given the ladder drills training program with (p<0.05), a percentage increase of 2.7%. Meanwhile, in the control group there was no significant effect (p>0.05), the percentage increase was 0.2%. Conclusion. Ladder drills have been proven to be no less effective than other exercises for increasing the agility of trained athletes. Therefore, instructors, coaches, practitioners and athletes can use this ladder drills exercise for those who want to gain optimal agility.