The effects of an 8-week Exer-Genie-assisted speed and ABC drill training program on speed, hamstring strength, and vertical jump performance in female football players

Abstract

Purpose The increasing physical demands of modern women's football necessitate integrated training approaches capable of simultaneously enhancing acceleration, force production, and neuromuscular control. Although devices such as the Exer-Genie (R) are frequently implemented in resisted sprint training, scientific evidence regarding their effectiveness in adolescent female athletes remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effects of an eight-week Exer-Genie (R)-assisted speed and agility-balance-coordination (ABC drill) training program on sprint performance, hamstring muscle strength, and vertical jump performance in young female football players. Methods A total of 37 licensed female football players competing in the Turkish Women's Second League (mean age = 14.4 +/- 1.4 years) voluntarily participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 20) or a control group (n = 17). The experimental group completed an Exer-Genie (R)-assisted sprint and agility-balance-coordination training program twice per week for eight weeks, while the control group continued their regular training. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included 0-10 m, 10-30 m, and 30 m sprint performance, hamstring muscle strength and impulse values, and countermovement jump performance.Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. Results Significant time & times; group interactions were observed for 0-10 m sprint time (3.9% improvement; F = 10.17, p = .003, eta & sup2; = 0.038) and 30 m sprint time (3.8% improvement; F = 21.08, p < .001, eta & sup2; = 0.020). Hamstring maximal strength increased by approximately 20% (left: F = 15.94, p < .001, eta & sup2; = 0.03), while hamstring impulse improved by approximately 36% (left: F = 10.62, p = .002, eta & sup2; = 0.05; right: F = 9.75, p = .004, eta & sup2; = 0.03). No significant improvements were observed in lower-limb strength asymmetry. Conclusion Eight weeks of Exer-Genie (R)-assisted speed and ABC drill training significantly enhanced acceleration and hamstring strength parameters in young female football players. The observed improvements (similar to 4% in sprint performance, similar to 20% in maximal strength, and similar to 36% in impulse capacity) support the potential usefulness of combining resisted sprint training with neuromuscular coordination drills.Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT07274566.Registered 28.11.2025 Retrospectively registered.