The Association Between Step Frequency Test, Sprint And Agility Performance

Abstract

A variety of training methods have been described in the literature to improve speed and agility. Step frequency, which is the rate at which steps can be reproduced, is one of the traditional step kinematic measure used to describe running technique. Previous research has illustrated the importance for faster acceleration (Murphy, Lockie, & Coutts, 2003). This has led athletes to investigate time in different step frequency training (i.e. ladder training) in order to gain increase in sprint or acceleration performance. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between two different step frequency test, sprinting and agility performance in sport science students. In addition, we aimed to investigate any gender differences in the association between variables. METHODS: The present study used a correlational research design in order to investigate the association between step frequency test (anterior-posterior and medial-lateral), agility test (5+5 meter) and 20-meter sprinting performance. Twenty-one male (height 181.1 cm, mass 79.6 kg) and seventeen female students (height 169.9 cm, mass 68.9 kg) sport science were included as subjects in the study. All subjects performed two different step frequency tests (anterior-posterior and medial-lateral), one agility test and a 20-meter sprint test. Pearsons correlation analysis were used in order to investigate the association between step frequency and sprint and agility performance. RESULTS: Overall, modest correlations between step frequency (anterior-posterior and medial-lateral) and sprint performance (r=0.36 and r=0.42, respectively (p<0.05)). In addition, this study found correlation between agility test and sprint test (r=0.53, (p<0.001). No correlation were found between either of the step frequency tests and the agility test (5+5 meter). CONCLUSIONS: This study found modest association between step frequency tests and 20-meter sprint performance in sport science students. The fact that no association was found between step frequency tests and the agility test makes it difficult to conclude any relationship between step frequency test performance and acceleration performance.