Development of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) for Reactive Agility Tennis: Literature Review and Validity of Aiken

Background The purpose of this study was to examine High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) for Reactive Agility Tennis with a literature review approach and develop HIIT for Reactive Agility Tennis with Aiken validation. Methods This research method consists of two stages: the first stage using the Literature review method and the second stage is Aiken validation. In the first stage, the participants of this research used documents. Data collection through the Pubmed database, and Google Scholar, used the PRISMA. Data analysis uses thematic analysis through three stages. The second stage is validating the HIIT model for Reactive Agility Tennis. The participants of this study used eight experts. Data analysis using the Aiken formula. Results the results of previous research on HIIT for reactive agility tennis found similarities, namely in general, using high intensity, a minimum number of eight types, training frequency at least 3 times per week, whereas in general the difference in training intervals, the type of HIIT exercise in previous studies for Increases reactive tennis agility. In addition, there are very few HIIT studies for reactive agility in tennis. Therefore, it is necessary to develop HIIT for reactive agility tennis. The second stage of this research has found a high validity of Aiken value in the development of HITT for reactive agility tennis. Conclusions HIIT highly increasing reactive tennis agility, therefore, HIIT can be used by coaches to increase tennis athletes' reactive agility, and further research needs to be done. Systematic Review registrations: SYSR-D-21-00999

The Relationship Between Reactive Agility and Change of Direction Speed in Professional Female Basketball and Handball Players

Assessing the physical ability of players to perform change of direction and the cognitive and motor abilities revealed in reactive agility (RA) is necessary to understand the physical requirements and capabilities of professional players in handball and basketball. The main aim of this study was to determine the differences between professional female basketball and handball players in terms of anthropometric features, change of direction speed (CODS), and the RA task. Moreover, the relationships among anthropometric features, agility, and parameters of perception were determined. Two scenarios of the Five-Time Shuttle Run to Gates test (planned and unplanned) were used to evaluate the CODS and RA. The response time (RT) was also measured in the unplanned scenario. Additionally, the index of reactivity (REAC-INDEX) was specified as the difference between the RA test result and the measurement of CODS. There was a significant difference found in terms of body height, with basketball players being taller than handball players (p = 0.032). Professional female handball players achieved better results than professional female basketball players with regard to RA tasks (p = 0.01) and CODS (p = 0.041). Significant simple correlations between each anthropometric feature (body height, body mass) and values for CODS and RA were observed (r = 0.49–0.53). Applying partial correlation allowed for the assessment of actual relationships among CODS, RA, RT, and REAC-INDEX, without a confounding variable. Detaching the anthropometric parameters from the rest of the relationships resulted in maintenance or changes in r-values and an increased significance in the relationships between each pair: RA vs. RT, RA vs. REAC-INDEX, and RT vs. REAC-INDEX. The strongest associations were related to RT vs. REAC-INDEX (r = 0.97 at detaching body height or body mass, p < 0.001) and CODS vs. RA (r = 0.66 at detaching body height and r = −0.67 at detaching body mass, p < 0.001). It is recommended to use partial correlations in subsequent studies, as simple correlations are not reliable and may not reveal the apparent relationships between the variables. In addition, when determining the CODS and RA, it is suggested to take anthropometric and perception variables into account, such as reaction time or REAC-INDEX.

Collection and Advice on Basketball Field Tests—A Literature Review

We conducted a review to collect the validated basketball-specific physical field tests and to provide practical advice for their appropriate selection and application. A comprehensive electronic literature search was performed via three electronic databases (PubMed, GoogleScholar, and SportDiscuss). Results of 93 studies provided recommendations for seven test packages and eighteen individual tests that have already been validated for basketball players. Although there is a lack of standardized, widely, and systematically used test protocols for testing the fitness levels of basketball players, standardized, normative data from NBA Combine Testing and other basketball-specific tests have the potential to help coaches compare their players with elite basketball players. Our review indicated that agility and reactive agility are fundamental skills in basketball; however, linear sprinting ability should not be considered a determining factor of success for basketball players. Finally, the countermovement jump test can help experts monitor fatigue, loss of explosive force, and interlimb asymmetries. In general, we found that identifying and developing a talented player is a complex task and requires experts from different fields, including trainers, coaches, performance- and movement analyzers, and physiotherapists. We found that during the testing of basketball players, experts always have to normalize their data with anthropometric measures for valid results. Most importantly, although experts always need to define an aim of testing and should follow the protocol of the chosen test, they also have to be open to making adjustments if the actual circumstances require it.

The Mediating Effect of Change of Direction Speed in the Relationship between the Type of Sport and Reactive Agility in Elite Female Team-Sport Athletes

The main aim of this study was to examine the mediating effect of the change of direction speed (CODs) on reactive agility (RA) in female players participating in different team sports (TS). In total, there were 31 elite female players from the Polish national basketball (n = 12, aged 24.98 ± 3.38) and handball (n = 19, aged 27.34 ± 4.68) teams participated in this study. Two experiments using the ‘five-time shuttle run to gates’ test with similar movement patterns were used to determine the players’ RA and CODs. A simple mediation model was utilised to investigate the potential mediation role of CODs and its effect on RA. The results revealed a primary, statistically significant effect of TS on RA (B = 0.796, p = 0.005), which decreased and became statistically insignificant after including the CODs variable into the model of mediation analysis (B = 0.337, p = 0.192). The RA test results were mediated by changes in CODs (B = 0.764, p < 0.001). Likewise, TS affected CODs (B = 0.602, p = 0.016). The general conclusion is that the relationship between TS and RA is not inherent. The direct effect of TS on RA disappears in the presence of the mediator CODs. Study results confirm the relevance of using the mediation analysis to apply in sport training. Identification of the critical ingredients of the athletes’ agility performance can improve training programs by focusing on effective components.

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

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.

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

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.

Reliability of a Reactive Agility Test for Youth Volleyball Players

Introduction. This was a cross-sectional study aiming to test the reliability of a new reactive agility test designed for youth volleyball players to improve both reaction time and hand-eye coordination. Material and methods. Twenty-four youth volleyball athletes (15 girls and 9 boys) were recruited to participate in this study (age: 11.58 ± 2.20 years old). This study used a FitLight Trainer (FITLIGHT Sport Corp., Ontario, Canada), a wireless system using interconnected light-powered sensors, to measure reaction time and hand-eye coordination. The subjects performed the hand-eye coordination test twice, exactly one week apart, for 30 seconds, with three trials performed for each test. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to test the variation of the six trials performed during the two sessions. Results. The analysis comparing the sessions revealed significantly longer reaction time in session 1 than in session 2 (mean difference: 47.85 [95% CI: 10.86 to 84.84]; p < 0.012; ES = 0.128). Across the different trials, the greatest single ICC measure (ICC = 0.645) and average ICC measure (ICC = 0.784) were achieved in trial 3. Across the sessions, the greatest single ICC measure (ICC = 0.951) and average ICC measure (ICC = 0.863) were achieved in session 2. Conclusions. FitLight Trainer is a valid and reliable tool for developing reaction times of youth volleyball athletes.

The Effects of Caffeine and Pre-Workout Multi-Ingredient Performance Supplement on Reactive Agility and Countermovement Jump Height

BackgroundThe purpose of this investigation was to examine the acute effects of a commercially available multi-ingredient performance supplement (MIPS) in comparison to caffeine, on reactive agility and jump height, in recreationally-trained handball male players. MethodsThe study followed a randomized double-blind, crossover design. Twenty-four individuals were treated with placebo, caffeine or multi-ingredient performance supplement (MIPS). Dosage of caffeine in caffeine supplement and MIPS contain the same amounts of caffeine for each subject (5 mg/kg) . All subjects attended a familiarization session 1 week before testing. Participants underwent reactive agility test (Y-test: 1-1-2 test) on three separate days with 72 h apart between test days. Just after accomplishing of each repetition of reactive agility tests participants were asked to perform countermovement jump (CMJ; 2 repetitions separated by one minute break) to establish the average height of jump, that is directly related to lower body power. To assess the significance of differences between the groups studied, Friedmann ANOVA test was used, the chi-square value (χ2) calculated and the p value of statistical significance estimated. ResultsThe research indicated significant inter-group differences in 1-1-2 agility test (p=0.04). The time was significantly shorter for MIPS supplement group in comparison to placebo (-3.4%; p=0.02) and to caffeine (-2.8%; p=0.004) group. Significant improvements (p<0.01) were observed in jump height for MIPS supplement group in comparison to placebo (+5.2%; p=0.001) and caffeine (+5.1%; p=0.001) groups, but not in caffeine to placebo comparison (p=0.84). ConclusionsThe results of these study may contribute to the assessment of the usefulness of multi-ingredient performance type supplementation in comparison to the ingestion of identical amounts of caffeine only in enhancing reactive agility and jump performance.

Physiological and Anthropometric Determinants of Performance Levels in Professional Futsal

There is an evident lack of studies examining the pursuit of excellence in futsal. The aims of this study were to evaluate anthropometric and physiological variables that may contribute to distinguishing among performance levels in professional futsal players and to evaluate correlates of those variables. The participants were 75 male professionals (age = 25.1 ± 5.1 years, body height = 182.3 ± 6.2 cm, body mass = 80.8 ± 10.4 kg), who were divided into performance levels using two criteria: (i) starters (first teams) vs. non-starters (substitutes) and (ii) top-level players (members of the national team and players who participated in top-level team competition in Europe) vs. high-level players (team players competing at the highest national competitive rank). Variables included anthropometrics (body height and mass, BMI, body fat percentage), generic tests of physiological capacities [5- and 10-m sprints, countermovement jump, broad jump, 20-yard test, reactive strength index (RSI)], and futsal-specific fitness tests [kicking speed by dominant and non-dominant leg, futsal-specific tests of change of direction speed, and reactive agility (FSRAG) involving/not involving dribbling the ball]. Top-level players outperformed high-level players in RSI, broad jump, kicking speed, and FSRAG involving dribbling. Starters achieved better results than non-starters in fewer variables, including kicking speed and RSI. Body fat percentage negatively influenced FSRAG involving dribbling, and RSI. FSRAG, RSI, and kicking speed were significantly correlated, indicating the similar physiological background of these capacities. The findings suggest that enhanced reactive strength and the ability to rapidly change direction speed in response to external stimulus while executing futsal-specific motor tasks (e.g., dribbling), along with players’ ability to kick the ball speedily, can be considered essential qualities required for advanced performance in futsal. Consequently, futsal strength and conditioning training should be targeted toward lowering relative body fat, maximizing lower-body reactive strength and including futsal-specific skills (e.g., dribbling, shooting) in reactive agility drills.

The Effect of Video Imagery Training on Soccer Skills Performance of High School Players

This study evaluated the effect of PETTLEP video imagery onreactive motor skill test (Total RMST time, sprint time, reactive agility time, passing time, and passing accuracy) among 32 Malaysian high school soccer players (mean age of 15.31±1.83) who were randomly assigned into an experimental group (N:16) and a control group (N:16). A pre-test-post-test design was used to evaluate the effect of the intervention on the high schoolplayers' soccer skill performance. The experimental group received 10-minute PETTLEP video imagery trainingbefore their regular soccer training for eight weeks in addition to their regular soccer training, while thecontrol group only attended their regular soccer training. The data analysis revealed a significant effect of video imagery training on players' performance in the experimental group. The results showed that total RMST time, reactive agility time, passing time, and passing accuracy were statistically different within the experimental group F(15, 154.993)= 14.440, p = < .001, Wilks' Λ = .050 and between groups F(5, 56.00)=379.774, p = < .001, Wilks' Λ = .050 after receiving the training, except for the sprint time which was not significant. The findings of this study provide evidence that eight weeks ofPETTLEPvideo imagery training interventioncan significantly improve soccer players' total RMST time, reactive agility time, passing time, and passing accuracy. These findings could be integrated into training programs by coaches and players in order to improve the performance of different soccer skills among high school players.