Relationship between linear running and change of direction performances of male soccer players

Abstract

Öz:It is known that there is a strong correlation between agility performance and match performance in terms of soccer players. Moreover, it is expressed that the agility and the linear sprint have different performance skills. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between linear sprint and change of direction performance scores and to determine the most appropriate agility test for soccer players. 16 male soccer players (age: 21.93±3.62 years, height: 175.06±3.06 cm, body mass: 69.51±7.40 kg, body mass index: 22.67±2.16 kg/m2, body fat ratio: 7.52±2.64%) participated in linear sprint and agility tests. All participants completed a test battery involving linear sprinting (10, 20, 30 m), agility tests (T test, 505, Pro-agility, illinois). The 10, 20, and 30 m sprint performance were positively correlated with performance on the illinois agility test (p<0.05). Furthermore, the 20 m sprint performance were positively significant correlated (r=.571, p=.042) with performance on pro-agility test. Lastly, the 10, 20, and 30m sprint performance were positively correlated (r=.329, p=.272; r=.370, p=.214; r=.338, p=.259 respectively) with performance on T test but this correlation levels were not significance. Given these meaningless relationships, it may state that the one of the most appropriate agility tests is T test for soccer players. This study provides support for the use of T test as an agility performance test in soccer players.