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The influence of test distance on change of direction speed test results
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

The influence of test distance on change of direction speed test results

Mark Sayers
Journal of strength and conditioning research, Vol.29(9), pp.2412-2416
2015
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PDF - Author's Accepted Version385.45 kBDownloadView
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url
https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001045View
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Abstract

change of direction speed agility repeatability acceleration ability
This study assessed the relationships between linear running velocity and change of direction (CoD) ability, and how assessing CoD ability over distances ≤ 5 m influences test reliability. Participants (n=15) from amateur rugby league teams performed three trials of a 20 m sprint test (light gates at 5 m, 10 m and 20 m) and six trials of the 5-0-5 agility test. Twelve participants repeated the 5- 0-5 test several weeks later. A three-dimensional motion capture system (250 Hz) was used to track the centre of mass at 0.3 m, 0.5 m and 1.0 m either side of the turn and identify specific CoD phase times. Pearson's correlations showed strong, significant relationships between the 5-0-5 time and 5 m (r=0.89, P<0.001); 10 m (r=0.91, P<0.001) and 20 m sprint times (r=0.93, P<0.001). However, the strength of these relationships decreased (r<0.65, P>0.05) when CoD ability was measured over distances less than 0.5 m. Analysis of coefficient of variation (CV%) data indicated that the 5-0-5 test had high intra (CV% = 2.8) and inter-test reliability(CV% = 1.3), with these data decreasing for distances less than 1 m (CV% = 3.5-6.9). Specific movement phase times were the least reliable measures of CoD ability (CV% 4.7-53.6). Results suggest a bias between high speed linear running ability and 5-0-5 time. However, an effective compromise can be found between test reliability and the external validity by assessing CoD ability over 1 m. Findings indicate that the current practice of assessing CoD ability over large distances in questionable.

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