Speed, Change of Direction Speed and Reactive Agility in Adolescent Soccer Players: Age Related Differences

Abstract

There are a plethora of studies investigating agility in soccer; however, studies have rarely presented the reaction time in differentiating age groups in adolescent soccer players. We investigated age differences in reactive agility, speed, and change of direction speed (CODs), in a group of highly trained adolescent soccer players. A total of 75 adolescent male soccer players (aged 14–19 years) were recruited. The players were grouped based on their age to under 15 (U15; n = 27), under 17 (U17; n = 25), and under 19 (U19; n = 23) players. Players were tested for 5 m, 10 m, and 20 m sprint, CODs speed test, Illinois test, and reactive agility test (total and reaction time). Only the reactive agility test with a live tester (RAT live) and RAT live reaction time (RAT live RT) distinguished U19 from both groups, U17 (RAT live, p < 0.01; RAT RT live, p < 0.01) and U15 (RAT live, p < 0.01; RAT RT live, p < 0.01). Groups did not have different times for 5 m sprint, RAT light and RAT RT light, F = 0.472, 2.691, 1.023, respectively, p > 0.05. Moreover, a significantly slower average performance of sprint 20, CODs left and right, and Illinois was also observed in U15 as compared to U17 and U19 (p < 0.05). We can conclude that results in agility tests that include live testers can be a significant factor that differentiates between adolescent soccer players considering their age.

Development and trainability of agility in youth: A systematic scoping review

“…Figure 2 illustrates the growth of publications per year, with publication years ranging from 2011 until 2021. The publications are categorized in reports of observational studies ( n = 23) ( 51 , 52 , 59 , 61 , 64 – 69 , 71 – 73 , 75 – 78 , 80 – 85 ), reports of experimental studies ( n = 14) ( 49 , 50 , 53 – 58 , 60 , 62 , 63 , 70 , 74 , 79 ), and secondary research ( n = 4) ( 5 , 30 , 39 , 85 ). Relevant data extracted from respective underlying studies ( n = 37) are presented for observational studies in Table 1 and for experimental studies in Table 2 .…”

“…However, these studies did not clearly state if the ball carrier's movement direction was opposed to the direction of the stimuli. Response times (timeframe from the onset of the stimulus until the initiation of the response movement) were separately assessed in 17.9% ( n = 7) of cases ( 49 , 54 , 61 , 63 , 70 , 74 , 78 ). The Y-shaped agility test and its modified variants were the most frequently applied tests ( n = 18) ( 49 , 52 – 55 , 58 , 60 – 62 , 67 , 71 , 73 , 76 – 79 , 81 , 84 ).…”

“…In most studies, the youngest group (range: 7-16 years) of athletes was outperformed in agility by the group with the oldest age (range: 14–18 years) ( 51 , 52 , 61 , 65 , 68 , 69 , 71 – 73 , 78 , 82 – 84 ). A few other studies did not find differences in agility performance among age groups ( 59 , 76 , 81 ).…”

“…This is not surprising since, in adulthood, physical qualities and agility are less related ( 97 – 101 ), and CODS and agility are even considered distinct skills ( 10 – 17 ) and thus, approaching a fully mature state ceases their relationship. The notion that factors other than physical capacities (i.e., technical, perceptual, and cognitive factors) are increasingly related to agility performance in older age groups is supported by findings of a stagnant sprint, jump, and CODS performance concomitant with enhanced agility performance in U17–U19 athletes ( 68 , 78 ). Movement technique, perceptual, and decision-making factors have a higher relevance for agility performance in adults ( 100 ).…”

Improving Special Ability Performance of Badminton Players through a Visual Reaction Training System

“…Players who can perform rapid movements are likely to dominate in badminton tournaments [ 9 , 10 ]. Therefore, the footwork of badminton players during rapid movements is a crucial basis for defining agility [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Although agility is a key ability required in sports, its definition has remained divergent until recently.…”