Specificity of Sprint and Agility Training Methods

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if straight sprint training transferred to agility performance tests that involved various change-of-direction complexities and if agility training transferred to straight sprinting speed. Thirty-six males were tested on a 30-m straight sprint and 6 agility tests with 2-5 changes of direction at various angles. The subjects participated in 2 training sessions per week for 6 weeks using 20-40-m straight sprints (speed) or 20-40-m change-of-direction sprints (3-5 changes of 100 degrees) (agility). After the training period, the subjects were retested, and the speed training resulted in significant improvements (p < 0.05) in straight sprinting speed but limited gains in the agility tests. Generally, the more complex the agility task, the less the transfer from the speed training to the agility task. Conversely, the agility training resulted in significant improvements in the change-of-direction tests (p < 0.05) but no significant improvement (p > 0.05) in straight sprint performance. We concluded that straight speed and agility training methods are specific and produce limited transfer to the other. These findings have implications for the design of speed and agility training and testing protocols.

Six weeks of knee extensor isometric training improves soccer related skills in female soccer players

“…However, it is thought very specific training is required to optimize COD speed. 11 The timing of the intervention (mid-season) may have meant that the participants had already been engaged in specific training for speed and COD ability during their soccer specific training sessions. As such, there may have been less scope for additional improvement to occur as a result of the intervention.…”

“…The zig zag test was based on the previous protocol used by Young et al 11 but its implementation was adapted to include only two stages of the original test. First, a straight 30m sprint with and without a ball and second, using the fourth stage of the test, with and without a ball.…”

Influence of the Number of Trials and the Exercise to Rest Ratio in Repeated Sprint Ability, With Changes of Direction and Orientation

“…The different muscle effort required to perform these specific motor tasks, in which the construct of agility might play an important role (1,3,(26)(27)(28). We also sought to determine if there were significant differences and associations between the sprint tests and the lower limb explosive power, measured through the CMJ and the stiffness tests, performed before and after each sprint test.…”

“…Match analysis procedures have confirmed that straight sprinting may not be considered the unique mode of traveling on the pitch during the matches, whereas an important role of the performance is played by the ability of the players to accelerate while changing direction and orientation (3,27). The need of effective training methods specifically aimed at improving these RSAs is widely recognized among practitioners (1,3,10,13).…”

“…T he umbrella term agility summarizes a broader construct that has been the subject of many studies over the last years (3,5,(26)(27)(28) investigating the relationship between this psychomotor construct and team sports. These studies highlighted the complex nature of the motor tasks required in players, characterized by the ability of performing fast movements in different directions, anticipating or reacting to the ongoing situations, to solve specific competitive problems.…”