Assessing the Interrelationship Between Agility and Change of Direction in Elite Senior Soccer Players

Volume 8, Issue 6, December 2024     |     PP. 281-294      |     PDF (343 K)    |     Pub. Date: November 18, 2024
DOI: 10.54647/sociology841352    24 Downloads     1080 Views  

Author(s)

Rafael Carvajal-Espinoza, University of Costa Rica. San José, Costa Rica
Walter Salazar-Rojas, University of Costa Rica. San José, Costa Rica

Abstract
Introduction: Invasion team sports specifically feature a widely studied component – agility. Agility is crucial in team sports players when evading an opponent and orienting the body position. Numerous studies confirm that AG and CD are distinct qualities, yet others indicate otherwise. The qualities of AG and CD, which, though commonly considered independent, have been the subject of studies regarding their interdependence or codependence to establish criteria. Objective: This study aims to determine whether a difference exists between these qualities. Statistical analysis: A canonical correlation analysis (p<0.05) was employed to determine the relationship between both constructs (CD and Ag). Results: The results indicate a significant relationship between the constructs: Rc= 0.569, sig= 0.001, eigenvalue= 0.478, Wilks' statistic= 0.639, and R2c= 32.37%. Conclusion: a marked difference is revealed by employing the most recurrent tests in the literature to evaluate each construct.

Keywords
sports performance, relationship, soccer, physical performance, tests

Cite this paper
Rafael Carvajal-Espinoza, Walter Salazar-Rojas, Assessing the Interrelationship Between Agility and Change of Direction in Elite Senior Soccer Players , SCIREA Journal of Sociology. Volume 8, Issue 6, December 2024 | PP. 281-294. 10.54647/sociology841352

References

[ 1 ] Altmann, S., Neumann, R., Härtel, S., Kurz, G., Stein, T., & Woll, A. (2021). Agility testing in amateur soccer: A pilot study of selected physical and perceptual-cognitive contributions. PLOS ONE, 16(6), e0253819. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253819
[ 2 ] Baker, D., Wilson, G., & Carlyon, B. (1994). Generality versus specificity: A comparison of dynamic and isometric measures of strength and speed-strength. European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology, 68(4), 350–355. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00571456
[ 3 ] Chaouachi, A., Manzi, V., Chaalali, A., Wong, D. P., Chamari, K., & Castagna, C. (2012). Determinants analysis of change-of-direction ability in elite soccer players. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 26(10), 2667–2676.
[ 4 ] Čoh, M., Vodičar, J., Žvan, M., Šimenko, J., Stodolka, J., Rauter, S., & Maćkala, K. (2018). Are Change-of-Direction Speed and Reactive Agility Independent Skills Even When Using the Same Movement Pattern? Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 32(7), 1929–1936. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002553
[ 5 ] Duarte, R., Araújo, D., Correia, V., & Davids, K. (2012). Sports Teams as Superorganisms Implications of Sociobiological Models of Behaviour for Research and Practice in Team Sports Performance Analysis. Sports Med, 42(8), 633–642.
[ 6 ] Gabbett, T., & Benton, D. (2009). Reactive agility of rugby league players. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 12(1), 212–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2007.08.011
[ 7 ] Green, B. S., Blake, C., & Caulfield, B. M. (2011). A Valid Field Test Protocol of Linear Speed and Agility in Rugby Union: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 25(5), 1256–1262. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181d8598b
[ 8 ] Lockie, R. G., Jeffriess, M. D., McGann, T. S., Callaghan, S. J., & Schultz, A. B. (2014). Planned and Reactive Agility Performance in Semiprofessional and Amateur Basketball Players. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 9(5), 766–771. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2013-0324
[ 9 ] Mackala, K., Vodičar, J., Žvan, M., Križaj, J., Stodolka, J., Rauter, S., & Čoh, M. (2020). Evaluation of the Pre-Planned and Non-Planed Agility Performance: Comparison between Individual and Team Sports. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(3), 975. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17030975
[ 10 ] Mann, D. T. Y., Williams, A. M., Ward, P., & Janelle, C. M. (2007). Perceptual-Cognitive Expertise in Sport: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 29(4), 457–478. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.29.4.457
[ 11 ] Miller, J. T. W. (2017). Assessment And Development Of Agility In Team Sports: A Brief Review Of The Literature. Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning, 25(5), 118–124.
[ 12 ] Morral, M., Moras, G., Bishop, C., & Gonzalo, O. (2020). Assessing the Reliability and Validity of Agility Testing in Team Sports: A Systematic Review. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 00(01), 1–15.
[ 13 ] Oliver, J. L., & Meyers, R. W. (2009). Reliability and Generality of Measures of Acceleration, Planned Agility, and Reactive Agility. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 4(3), 345–354. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.4.3.345
[ 14 ] Pojskic, H., Åslin, E., Krolo, A., Jukic, I., Uljevic, O., Spasic, M., & Sekulic, D. (2018). Importance of Reactive Agility and Change of Direction Speed in Differentiating Performance Levels in Junior Soccer Players: Reliability and Validity of Newly Developed Soccer-Specific Tests. Frontiers in Physiology, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2018.00506
[ 15 ] Popowczak, M., Cichy, I., Rokita, A., & Domaradzki, J. (2021). The Relationship Between Reactive Agility and Change of Direction Speed in Professional Female Basketball and Handball Players. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 708771. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.708771
[ 16 ] Sattler, T., Sekulić, D., Spasić, M., Perić, M., Krolo, A., Uljević, O., & Kondrič, M. (2015). Analysis of the Association Between Motor and Anthropometric Variables with Change of Direction Speed and Reactive Agility Performance. Journal of Human Kinetics, 47(1), 137–145. https://doi.org/10.1515/hukin-2015-0069
[ 17 ] Sekulic, D., Foretic, N., Gilic, B., Esco, M. R., Hammami, R., Uljevic, O., Versic, S., & Spasic, M. (2019). Importance of Agility Performance in Professional Futsal Players; Reliability and Applicability of Newly Developed Testing Protocols. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(18), 3246. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16183246
[ 18 ] Sekulic, D., Pehar, M., Krolo, A., Spasic, M., Uljevic, O., Calleja-González, J., & Sattler, T. (2016). Evaluation of Basketball-Specific Agility: Applicability of Preplanned and Nonplanned Agility Performances for Differentiating Playing Positions and Playing Levels. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 31(8), 2278–2288. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001646
[ 19 ] Sheppard, & Young. (2006). Agility literature review: Classifications, training and testing. Journal of Sports Sciences, 24(9), 919–932. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410500457109
[ 20 ] Young. (2015). Agility and Change-of-Direction Speed are Independent Skills: Implications for Training for Agility in Invasion Sports. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 10(1).
[ 21 ] Young, W., Dawson, B., & Henry, G. J. (2015). Agility and Change-of-Direction Speed are Independent Skills: Implications for Training for Agility in Invasion Sports. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 10(1), 159–169.