The Importance of Reactive Agility Tests in Differentiating Adolescent Soccer Players

The ability to differentiate the elite from nonelite athletes is not clearly defined. We investigated level differences in speed, change of direction speed (CODS), and reactive agility in a group of trained adolescent soccer players. A total of 75 adolescent male soccer players (aged 14–19 years) were recruited. The players were grouped based on the level of play to elite, sub-elite, and amateur players. Players were tested for 5-, 10- and 20-m sprints, CODS, and reactive agility tests (RAT). Elite players had faster reaction movement time during RAT with live opponent stimuli (p ≤ 0.01) compared to sub-elite and amateur players. Moreover, elite players showed a faster time during light stimuli (p ≤ 0.01) but only compared to amateur players. The times for 5-m and 10-m sprint groups did not differ (p > 0.05). The results demonstrated that the skilled players (elite and sub-elite) performed better in reactive agility tests, speed, and COD speed compared to amateur players. Additionally, we can conclude that total and reaction time in the agility test with live opponent stimuli can be a significant factor that differentiates between adolescent soccer players considering their level.

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

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18115883 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (11) ◽

pp. 5883

Author(s):

Slobodan Andrašić ◽

Marko Gušić ◽

Mima Stanković ◽

Draženka Mačak ◽

Asim Bradić ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reaction Time ◽

Age Groups ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Adolescent Male ◽

Change Of Direction ◽

Speed Test ◽

Age Related ◽

Reactive Agility ◽

Speed Change ◽

Left And Right

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.

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Determinants of Reactive Agility in Tests with Different Demands on Sensory and Motor Components in Handball Players

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11146531 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (14) ◽

pp. 6531

Author(s):

Henrieta Horníková ◽

Michal Jeleň ◽

Erika Zemková

Keyword(s):

Reaction Time ◽

Visual Stimuli ◽

Test Reaction ◽

Squat Jump ◽

Change Of Direction ◽

Visual Reaction ◽

Reactive Agility ◽

Time Test ◽

The Times ◽

Reaction Speed

This study investigates the relationship between reactive agility and reaction speed, sprint speed, and muscle strength and their contribution to Y-shaped agility test and reactive agility test (RAT) performance in handball players. Seven handball players performed a Y-shaped agility test and RAT, simple and choice-based reaction time test, reaction test to fast and slow generated visual stimuli, 5 m and 20 m sprint tests, a 505 Agility test, a squat jump, a countermovement jump, and a drop jump. The results reveal a significant relationship between the times for the Y-shaped agility test and the 20 m sprint (r = 0.777, p = 0.040, R = 0.604), as well as the time for the 505 Agility test (r = 0.770, p = 0.043, R2 = 0.593), and RSI (r = −0.755, p = 0.050, R2 = 0.570); however, no relationship was found with parameters pertaining to reaction speed. RAT performance did not significantly correlate with RSI, time in the 505 Agility test, squat jump height, time in the 20 m sprint, and reaction time to fast generated visual stimuli, although large effect sizes were found (r > 0.5). It seems that the contribution of sensory and motor components depends on the structure of the agility test. While the Y-shaped agility test is mainly determined by sprinting, the change of direction speed, and reactive strength, there is the tendency for the reactive agility test to be determined by strength, speed, and visual reaction time.

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Reaction time as a predictor for change-of-direction speed in male soccer players

Saudi Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.4103/1319-6308.164287 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 15 (3) ◽

pp. 220

Author(s):

HomoudMohammed Nawi Alanazi ◽

Ridha Aouadi

Keyword(s):

Reaction Time ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Change Of Direction

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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 ◽

10.3389/fphys.2018.00506 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Haris Pojskic ◽

Erik Åslin ◽

Ante Krolo ◽

Ivan Jukic ◽

Ognjen Uljevic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reliability And Validity ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Performance Levels ◽

Change Of Direction ◽

Reactive Agility

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Effects of Three Preseason Training Programs on Speed, Change-of-Direction, and Endurance in Recreationally Trained Soccer Players

Frontiers in Physiology ◽

10.3389/fphys.2021.719580 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Jérôme Koral ◽

Jaume Lloria Varella ◽

Fernando Lazaro Romero ◽

Clément Foschia

Keyword(s):

Interval Training ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Plyometric Training ◽

Training Time ◽

Change Of Direction ◽

Maximal Aerobic Speed ◽

Training Post ◽

Speed Change ◽

The Mean ◽

Physical Performances

Background: Modern coaches experience a drastic reduction of the available training time with an increasingly large number of competitions during the competitive season. Thus, they must choose wisely the most efficient methods to improve the physical fitness of their players during the preseason. Among all the methods, this study compared the effects of plyometric training (PT), sprint interval training (SIT), and small-sided games (SSGs) on the performance of recreationally trained soccer players.Methods: Seventy-three participants were randomly assigned in one of the three experimental groups (i.e., PT [n = 23], SIT [n = 26] or SSGs [n = 24]) and completed two sessions per week for a total of 3 weeks. Meanwhile, the whole group maintained their habitual soccer-specific training program who do not interfere in the preparation of the season. Repeated sprint ability (RSA), maximal aerobic speed (MAS), and a 30-m sprint were assessed at baseline (PRE) and post-training (POST).Results: Performance in SSGs decreased for the average speed from 0 to 10 m (V0−10m; −0.84 km h−1, −4 ± 5%, p < 0.001), the maximal distance (Dmax) covered in the 30-s RSA test (−3.65 m, −3 ± 6%, p < 0.01) and MAS (−0.52 km h−1, −3 ± 6%, p < 0.01). PT increased the mean distance (Dmean) covered in the 30-s RSA test (+5.98 m, 5 ± 4%, p < 0.001) and MAS (+0.58 km h−1, 7 ± 5%, p < 0.01) while an improvement of all parameters but the maximal sprint speed reached during the 30-m trip (Vmax) was found in the SIT group (V0−10m: +1.462 km h−1, 8 ± 5%, p < 0.001; Dmax: +7.89 m, 6 ± 5%, p < 0.001; Dmean: +8.69 m, 7 ± 5%, p < 0.001 and MAS: +1.74 km h−1, 12 ± 8%, p < 0.001). All SSG POST values were significantly lower than PT and SIT (p < 0.01). Dmean and MAS in POST were also significantly higher in SIT than in the PT group (p < 0.001).Conclusion: This study suggests that both PT and SIT could be a better alternative to SSGs to boost performances during preseason. Moreover, SIT seems to produce higher improvements in physical performances than PT.

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Relative age effect on the reaction time of soccer players under 13 years old

Motriz Revista de Educação Física ◽

10.1590/s1980-65742015000200010 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 194-199 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Eduardo Macedo Penna ◽

Marco Túlio de Mello ◽

Renato Melo Ferreira ◽

Luiz Carlos Couto de Albuquerque Moraes ◽

Varley Teoldo da Costa

Keyword(s):

Reaction Time ◽

Movement Time ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Age Effect ◽

Important Variable ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Season Of Birth ◽

Relative Age ◽

Relative Age Effect ◽

Pearson Correlation Analysis

The relative age effect, which is the advantage obtained by an athlete born closer to the beginning of the selection year, has been shown to be an important variable in the development of soccer players. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the season of birth on the choice reaction time (CRT) of elite soccer athletes in the under 13 years of age category. Seventy-six athletes participated who were 13.36 ± 0.45 years old. The volunteers were tested with a CRT test, and the results were divided according to the semester of birth (S1 or S2). We conducted a t-test in order to compare the results between groups and a Pearson correlation analysis to verify the associations between variables. The results indicated no differences in reaction time (r= .033 and p = .772) or movement time (r = .0073 and p = .530). It was concluded that for this population, the season of birth does not influence the performance of the capabilities tested.

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The Increased Effectiveness of Loaded Versus Unloaded Plyometric Jump Training in Improving Muscle Power, Speed, Change of Direction, and Kicking-Distance Performance in Prepubertal Male Soccer Players

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2018-0866 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 189-195 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Yassine Negra ◽

Helmi Chaabene ◽

Senda Sammoud ◽

Olaf Prieske ◽

Jason Moran ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Muscle Power ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Sprint Time ◽

Change Of Direction ◽

Jump Training ◽

Jump Test ◽

Standing Long Jump ◽

Long Jump ◽

Time Test ◽

Speed Change

Purpose: To examine the effects of loaded (LPJT) versus unloaded plyometric jump training (UPJT) programs on measures of muscle power, speed, change of direction (CoD), and kicking-distance performance in prepubertal male soccer players. Methods: Participants (N = 29) were randomly assigned to a LPJT group (n = 13; age = 13.0 [0.7] y) using weighted vests or UPJT group (n = 16; age = 13.0 [0.5] y) using body mass only. Before and after the intervention, tests for the assessment of proxies of muscle power (ie, countermovement jump, standing long jump); speed (ie, 5-, 10-, and 20-m sprint); CoD (ie, Illinois CoD test, modified 505 agility test); and kicking-distance were conducted. Data were analyzed using magnitude-based inferences. Results: Within-group analyses for the LPJT group showed large and very large improvements for 10-m sprint time (effect size [ES] = 2.00) and modified 505 CoD (ES = 2.83) tests, respectively. For the same group, moderate improvements were observed for the Illinois CoD test (ES = 0.61), 5- and 20-m sprint time test (ES = 1.00 for both the tests), countermovement jump test (ES = 1.00), and the maximal kicking-distance test (ES = 0.90). Small enhancements in the standing long jump test (ES = 0.50) were apparent. Regarding the UPJT group, small improvements were observed for all tests (ES = 0.33–0.57), except 5- and 10-m sprint time (ES = 1.00 and 0.63, respectively). Between-group analyses favored the LPJT group for the modified 505 CoD (ES = 0.61), standing long jump (ES = 0.50), and maximal kicking-distance tests (ES = 0.57), but not for the 5-m sprint time test (ES = 1.00). Only trivial between-group differences were shown for the remaining tests (ES = 0.00–0.09). Conclusion: Overall, LPJT appears to be more effective than UPJT in improving measures of muscle power, speed, CoD, and kicking-distance performance in prepubertal male soccer players.

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