Agility training
Agility training has been studied in 5 papers since 2023: 5 trials in people; 1 in the past year. The newest paper, Dec 18, 2025: “Value of Robotics: Comparison of Three Different High-Intensity Training Programs for Rehabilitation After Stroke”.
5 papers study it9 findingsUpdated
“Small effect sizes in favor of the AT were found for gait speed in all conditions (0.355 < d < 0.376), static one-leg balance (d = 0.256), CMJ performance (d = 0.203), flanker reaction time to incongruent stimuli (d = 0.203) and Nback reaction time on correct targets (d = 0.205).”
2 of its findings point the other way.
- 3 independent labs in 3 countries
- 2 findings against
- Human trial5
Studies in people
3 studies gave agility training to people and measured what changed.
up: Improves balance
up: Improves turning ability
no change: Has no effect on walking speed
Trial7 peoplefour weeks
Individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, specifically the akinetic-rigid subtype
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), Oct 11, 2025
down: Decreases fall risk
Randomized trial20 people8 weeks
Patients with osteoporosis
Journal of bodywork and movement therapies, Aug 9, 2025
up: Improves gait speed0.355 < d < 0.376
no change: Has no effect on cognitive functiond = 0.246
Randomized trial79 peopleBoth69.6-70.8 yearsone year
Healthy, retired community-dwelling older adults
European review of aging and physical activity : official journal of the European Group for Research into Elderly and Physical Activity, Nov 11, 2023
What did studies of Agility training find?
6Studies of Agility training measured 6 outcomes; the most studied are balance (1 study), cognitive function (1) and gait speed (1).
Balance
upin humans1
1 study
Balance
upin humans1
Agility training improves balance in humans.
“Total Mini-BESTest scores increased significantly over time (F = 57, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.924), adjusted for age.”
Human trialfour weeksn = 7
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
Agility training improves balance in humans (p < 0.001).
“The training significantly improved overall balance (p < 0.001)”
Human trialParkinson's disease4 weeksn = 7
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
Cognitive function
no changein humans1upin humans1
1 study
Cognitive function
no changein humans1upin humans1
Agility training has no effect on cognitive function in humans (d = 0.246).
“A small effect size in favor of the CG was found for flanker accuracy to incongruent stimuli (d = 0.246), which in combination with the reduced reaction time represents a speed-accuracy trade-off and, therefore, no improvement in that task.”
Human trialone yearn = 79
European review of aging and physical activity : official journal of the European Group for Research into Elderly and Physical Activity
Agility training improves cognitive function in humans (d = 0.204, Δ = 3.8%).
“n-back reaction time (cognitive performance) (d = 0.204, Δ = 3.8%).”
Human trialhealthytwo weekly 60 min sessionsone yearn = 54
European review of aging and physical activity : official journal of the European Group for Research into Elderly and Physical Activity
Gait speed
upin humans1
1 study
Gait speed
upin humans1
Agility training improves gait speed in humans (0.355 < d < 0.376).
“Small effect sizes in favor of the AT were found for gait speed in all conditions (0.355 < d < 0.376), static one-leg balance (d = 0.256), CMJ performance (d = 0.203), flanker reaction time to incongruent stimuli (d = 0.203) and Nback reaction time on correct targets (d = 0.205).”
Human trialone yearn = 79
European review of aging and physical activity : official journal of the European Group for Research into Elderly and Physical Activity
Agility training improves gait speed in humans (d = 0.355, Δ = 4.3%).
“Notable effects in favor of AT were found for gait parameters in single (d = 0.355, Δ = 4.3%), dual (d = 0.375, Δ = 6.1%) and triple (d = 0.376, Δ = 6.4%) task conditions”
Human trialhealthytwo weekly 60 min sessionsone yearn = 54
European review of aging and physical activity : official journal of the European Group for Research into Elderly and Physical Activity
Walking speed
no changein humans1
1 study
Walking speed
no changein humans1
Agility training has no effect on walking speed in humans.
“No significant changes were found in Timed Up and Go (F = 3.00, p = 0.088, R2 = 0.778), 5× Sit to Stand (F = 1.49, p = 0.264, R2 = 0.569), or the 10 m walk test (F = 2.54, p = 0.120, R2 = 0.698).”
Human trialfour weeksn = 7
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
Turning ability
upin humans1
1 study
Turning ability
upin humans1
Agility training improves turning ability in humans.
“The 360° Turn Test showed a significant reduction in completion time over the intervention period (F = 7.98, p = 0.006, R2 = 0.749).”
Human trialfour weeksn = 7
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
Fall risk
downin humans1
1 study
Fall risk
downin humans1
Agility training decreases fall risk in humans.
“Both groups showed a statistically significant decrease in fall risk for the TUG test (P0.05) and BBS score (P0.05).”
Human trialpatients with osteoporosis8 weeksn = 20
Journal of bodywork and movement therapies