Are Change-of-Direction Speed and Reactive Agility Independent Skills Even When Using the Same Movement Pattern?

Abstract

Čoh, M, Vodičar, J, Žvan, M, Šimenko, J, Stodolka, J, Rauter, S, and Maćkala, K. Are change-of-direction speed and reactive agility independent skills even when using the same movement pattern? J Strength Cond Res 32(7): 1929-1936, 2018-The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether there are differences between the 2 approaches to quantifying agility (preplanned vs. unplanned response) when reacting to a stimulus in an identical spatial scenarios. The study involved 45 male and 31 female trained athletes (age 21.2 ± 1.78 and 20.6 ± 1.27 years, body height 181.6 ± 8.31 and 167.7 ± 5.03 cm, and body mass 78.9 ± 11.33 and 63.3 ± 8.65 kg, respectively). A light-based reactive training system was used to measure the time to completion in a task that assessed agility by change-of-direction speed (CODS) in a preplanned condition and reactive agility (RA) in an unplanned condition across 4 spatial configurations. Sprint performance in a 30-m sprint and lower limb reactive power in a 10-m single leg jump test was also measured. Significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were found between men and women in all tests and between performance in the CODS and RA condition for each spatial configuration. Significant correlations were observed between 30-m starting sprint speed and CODS and RA performance measured in a semicircle (r = 0.62, r = 0.60) and lateral (r = 0.54, r = 0.58) configuration in male athletes. The present findings suggest that CODS and RA are 2 different and independent skill domains that define agility. These qualities should be diagnosed by discrete assessments and enhanced by different training methodologies.

Evaluation of the Pre-Planned and Non-Planed Agility Performance: Comparison between Individual and Team Sports

“…Agility is a significant component of athletic performance as it encompasses the ability to perform whole-body and local movements rapidly, effectively, and efficiently [10][11][12][13][14]. While the classic definition of agility is understood as the ability to change the direction or speed of a movement both quickly and precisely, more recent definitions have integrated a cognitive component.…”

“…While the classic definition of agility is understood as the ability to change the direction or speed of a movement both quickly and precisely, more recent definitions have integrated a cognitive component. This encompasses factors such as anticipation, visual and perceptual recognition, reaction speed, and attention skills [14,15]. Both agility definitions are correct and determine their significance and usefulness in selected sports.…”

“…Their application, however, depends on what agility component we measure and evaluate. Consequently, movement scenarios that involve a reaction to an unplanned or random stimulus are known as reactive agility (RA), whereas pre-planned movement situations with no stimulus are determined more by change-of-direction speed (CODS) without any reactive or cognitive component [14,15]. In sports situations, RA is more common than pre-planned CODS since sport-specific situations are frequently unpredictable and determined by the movement or actions of an opponent or object (e.g., a ball) and therefore require a cognitive response [16].…”

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

“…We found that the Y-SprintREACT test (our assessment of agility performance) demonstrated good intersession test reliability in our sample of youth soccer players. Despite being classified as independent skills [6,10,11], the physical demands of both COD and agility performance are similar, challenging linear sprint, acceleration, and deceleration capacities [13,45]. When compared to human stimuli, reacting to generic light stimuli requires manipulation to body position, subsequently increasing the external loading on the knee when performing the cutting movement [24].…”

“…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.…”