Change of Direction Ability Performance in Cerebral Palsy Football Players According to Functional Profiles

Abstract

The aims of the present study were to evaluate the validity and reliability of the two different change of direction ability (CODA) tests in elite football players with cerebral palsy (CP) and to analyse the differences in performance of this ability between current functional classes (FT) and controls. The sample consisted of 96 international cerebral palsy football players (FPCP) and 37 football players. Participants were divided into four different groups according to the International Federation of Cerebral Palsy Football (IFCPF) classes and a control group (CG): FT5 (n = 8); FT6 (n = 12); FT7 (n = 62); FT8 (n = 14); and CG (n = 37). The reproducibility of Modified Agility Test (MAT) and Illinois Agility Test (IAT) (ICC = 0.82–0.95, SEM = 2.5–5.8%) showed excellent to good values. In two CODA tests, CG performed faster scores compared with FPCP classes (p < 0.01, d = 1.76–3.26). In IAT, FT8 class comparisons regarding the other classes were: FT5 (p = 0.047, d = 1.05), FT6 (p = 0.055, d = 1.19), and FT7 (p = 0.396, d = 0.56). With regard to MAT, FT8 class was also compared with FT5 (p = 0.006, d = 1.30), FT6 (p = 0.061, d = 0.93), and FT7 (p = 0.033, d = 1.01). No significant differences have been found between FT5, FT6, and FT7 classes. According to these results, IAT and MAT could be useful and reliable and valid tests to analyse CODA in FPCP. Each test (IAT and MAT) could be applied considering the cut point that classifiers need to make a decision about the FT8 class and the other FT classes (FT5, FT6, and FT7).

Activity limitation and match load in para‐footballers with cerebral palsy: An approach for evidence‐based classification

“…Regarding the CODA tests, the differences in MAT are comparable with the study by Reina et al, but the 505 test was not previously applied in this population. The 505 test is performed in a straight line (10 m), requiring a sudden 180º COD for sprinting again for 5 m, so heel strike is not required (limited on those with lower limb paresis) when running in addition to the fact that the athlete freely chooses the leg to perform the COD.…”

“…While the absence of differences in OLS D is understandable because this test demands balance on a single leg that is not affected in the FT7 players, no differences in SBJ and 4B does not match with previous findings in this population . Regarding the CODA tests, the differences in MAT are comparable with the study by Reina et al, but the 505 test was not previously applied in this population. The 505 test is performed in a straight line (10 m), requiring a sudden 180º COD for sprinting again for 5 m, so heel strike is not required (limited on those with lower limb paresis) when running in addition to the fact that the athlete freely chooses the leg to perform the COD.…”

“…Previous studies demonstrated the differences in the performance of CPFP with particular profiles and impairment severity (ie, sport classes) when comparing their performance in changing direction, accelerating/decelerating/sprinting, and jumping horizontally or vertically . Recently, a study with 56 international para‐footballers with HAA performed a Data Envelopment Analysis as a classification tool using a directional distance function model, demonstrating that five of the twenty proposed activity limitation tests discriminate the performance and magnitude of athletes’ impairments.…”

“…Specifically in football players with CP (CPFP), few studies have analyzed sport proficiency, including jumping ability, change of direction ability (CODA), sprint/acceleration/deceleration, endurance, and dribbling skills . Several of these studies evidenced the validity, feasibility, and reliability of the tests used, especially to evaluate the activity limitation caused by the eligible impairment (ie, FT8 players vs regular football players) and the discrimination capability between moderate vs mild impairments of HAA (ie, FT5/FT6/FT7 vs FT8).…”

“…Specifically in football players with CP (CPFP), few studies have analyzed sport proficiency, including jumping ability, change of direction ability (CODA), sprint/acceleration/deceleration, endurance, and dribbling skills . Several of these studies evidenced the validity, feasibility, and reliability of the tests used, especially to evaluate the activity limitation caused by the eligible impairment (ie, FT8 players vs regular football players) and the discrimination capability between moderate vs mild impairments of HAA (ie, FT5/FT6/FT7 vs FT8). On the other hand, in CPFP the external match load (ML) indicators have also been analyzed such as distance covered at different speeds, accelerations, decelerations, player load (PL), peak metabolic power (PMP), and changes of direction (CODs), comparing between the current sport classes and/or the playing time .…”