Change of Direction and Agility Tests: Challenging Our Current Measures of Performance

Abstract

The ability to change direction is a highly valued athletic quality in sport and has been measured extensively. Despite the importance and magnitude of research on change of direction (COD) and agility, the validity of the performance measures used to assess these abilities have faced limited scrutiny. A critical evaluation of our current measures of COD and agility are presented. Further, a summary of recommendations to enhance the validity of COD and agility assessment is provided in the ultimate effort to improve our understanding of this crucial athletic quality.

Test–retest reliability of physical fitness tests among young athletes: The FITescola® battery

“…Beyond the 4 × 10 shuttle run test, there are several other tests to assess the agility in young athletes (e.g. Illinois agility test (IAT), the agility t test, change of direction‐COD), all of which are usually modified by coaches or researchers upon application (Kutlu, Yapici, & Yilmaz, 2017; Mountjoy et al, 2014; Nimphius, Callaghan, & Bezodis, 2018; Rouissi, Chtara, & Berriri, 2016). The differences between procedures among coaches or researches hamper the standardization of a protocol and consequently a uniform application on the entire population of young athletes.…”

Influence of playing position and laterality in centripetal force and changes of direction in elite soccer players

“…In the present study, the performance of non-linear locomotion was assessed through two principal variables: COD events and CentF generated in each event. The COD is considered as the specific event where one uses the "skills and abilities needed to change movement direction, velocity or modes" [28]. The CentF is considered as the force or the component of the force that acts on an object in movement on a curvilinear trajectory that is directed towards the center of curvature of the trajectory [19].…”

“…The development of individualized training drills considering these external load variables should be addressed by the coaches and technical staff of professional teams in order to prepare not only their physical and technical abilities to face this type of actions but also to prevent potential injuries [40]. Besides, this type of variables may be included in future studies that analyze soccer performance or team players workload [28].…”

Reliability of Change of Direction and Agility Assessments in Youth Soccer Players

“…However, also of importance during soccer match play is COD ability, defined as "the ability to change initial direction to a predetermined location and space on a field or court" [9]. Despite being misinterpreted in previous years, scientists have recently established agility and COD ability as independent skills [6,10,11], with little common variance [11][12][13][14]. Consequently, both qualities receive individual consideration when developing and assessing the physical qualities of team-sport athletes.…”

“…Nimphius and colleagues [10] suggest that a variety of tests can be administered when examining COD and agility performance-many of which vary in duration and physical demands. Approach velocity, acceleration and deceleration, and strength requirements can be challenged to varying degrees, dependent on the test selected [10,15,16].…”