Does the 5-0-5 test measure change of direction speed?

Abstract

Background: The 5-0-5 agility test uses light gates to measure the time taken to run 5 m either side of a single 180 deg direction change over a 15 m up-and-back course. The creators of the 5-0-5 test suggested that it isolates the ability to change directions independent of linear running speed and as a result represents a valid measure of change of direction (CoD) ability for many sports. However, the quantification of CoD ability over such a large distance (i.e. 5 m) means that 5-0-5 results have the potential to be bias towards linear running capacity and not CoD ability. Accordingly, the primary aim of this study was to assess the validity of the 5-0-5 test by determining the inter-relationships between 5-0-5 test results, linear running speed and CoD performance over distances less than 5 m. Methods: Fifteen agility sport athletes performed six trials of the 5-0-5 agility test following standard protocols. Linear running ability was assessed using three trials of a straight 20 m sprint test (light gates at 5 m, 10 m and 20 m). Change of direction speed during the 5-0-5 test was also measured using a 9 camera three-dimensional motion capture system (Qualisys AB, Gothenburg, Sweden) operating at 250 Hz. This system was used to track movements of the whole body centre of mass between 0.3 m, 0.5 m, 1 m and 3 m either side of the turn. All tests were repeated within 5–7 days, with test reliability determined using coefficient of variation (CV%) analyses. Results: The 5-0-5 test was shown to be reliable (CV% = 2.8), however the CV% values increased for CoD distances less than 1 m (CV% = 3.7–6.9). Pearson’s correlations showed strong, significant relationships between the 5-0-5 test and 5 m, 10 m, and 20 m linear sprint times (r=0.89–0.93, P < 0.001). Additional analyses showed that correlations between linear sprint times and CoD speed decreased when CoD ability was measured over distances < 1 m (r < 0.5). iscussion: Results question the use of the 5-0-5 test as a measure of CoD performance, as results appear skewed towards linear running speed and not CoD ability. To test CoD ability effectively there is a compromise between the validity of the test and test reliability. Accordingly, it is recommended that the CoD distance in the 5-0-5 test be reduced to 1 m to create a 1-0-1 test.