Background: Good change-of-direction sprint performance is considered important for basketball players. Regarding the components of a change-of-direction task, a correlation between the linear sprint and concentric power output can be assumed. Previous studies have shown heterogeneous correlation coefficients between different change-of-direction (COD) tests and linear and jump performance.Methods: Therefore, 47 trained youth basketball players (13.2 ± 3.6 years; 34 males and 13 females) were recruited. Linear sprint (10 and 20 meters), squat jump, and COD sprint tests (the zig-zag test and triangle test) were conducted. One-tailed Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship of sprint and jump performance with COD tests, and two-trailed analysis was used to assess the relationship between the different COD tests.Results: This study showed that both linear sprint variables and concentric power output explained the variance in the different COD tests in a homogeneous manner (r 2 = 0.14 to 0.42). The correlation coefficients did not statistically differ between the male and female players, and the different COD tests correlated moderately with one another (r 2 = 0.42 -0.46). For both analyses, the intercorrelation results did not differ significantly between sexes and analyzed correlation coefficients.
Conclusion:It is recommended that the squat jump, 10-to 20 meter linear sprint, zig-zag and triangle tests are included in batteries of tests conducted in youth basketball players.COD tests with the same structure may have similar physiological requirements; however, these tests have task-specific characteristics. Therefore, coaches and sport scientists must review and select different tests with logical validity based on sport-specific requirements.
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