Relationship between agility, linear sprinting, and vertical jumping performance in Slovenian elite women football players

Abstract

PurposeThe general goal of the study was to investigate the relationship between agility t-test (change of direction speed ability, CODS), 20-m sprint test (S20m) (linear speed ability), and countermovement jump (CMJ) test (lower limb explosive power ability).MethodsThe sample involved 18 elite female football athletes (age: 18.56 ± 2.24 years, height: 169.47 ± 6.48 cm, weight: 63.52 ± 6.85 kg). Pearson correlation coefficients were applied. Multiple linear regression served to explain the relationship between the dependent variable (CODS) and 2 independent variables (S20m and CMJ).ResultsPearson correlation analysis indicated a moderate relationship between CMJ and CODS performance (<i>r</i> = –0.59, <i>p</i> = 0.01) and a very strong significant relationship between S20m and CODS performance (<i>r</i> = 0.80, <i>p</i> = 0.00). The results of multiple linear regression proved that both independent variables (S20m and CMJ) explained about 60.0% (adjusted R2) of the total model variance in relation to the dependent variable (CODS), whereas only S20m significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) explained CODS ability.ConclusionsThe study highlighted the impact of explosive power of lower limbs (CMJ) and linear speed capability (S20m) on agility performance (CODS) in our sample. It suggests that the results of agility, linear sprint, and jumping performance seem to have similar determining factors. It is worthwhile to consider these findings in the training process of female elite football players in order to focus on essential training elements of physical fitness.