Reactive Agility Test Research Articles

Absolute Reliability, Relative Reliability, and Criterion-Related Validity of Two Reactive Agility Tests Using Two Types of Stimuli in Elite Male Volleyball Players

Abstract Introduction. Agility is an important physical quality required in team sports including volleyball. The aims of this study were to quantify the reliability of two reactive agility drills: (a) the arrow reactive agility test (ARAT) and (b) the square upper body reactive agility test (SUBRAT). Their relationship was assessed with the T-Test, lower limbs’ power was evaluated using sprint and vertical jump performance, while lower and upper body maximal strength was evaluated with the back squat and bench press, respectively. Material and Methods. A total of 14 elite male volleyball athletes participated in this investigation. All subjects performed three trials for each reactive agility test on two separate days. All assessments were conducted at the same time of the day and in the same order. Data was analysed with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), SEMs, SWCs, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results. The heteroscedasticity coefficient for the ARAT and the SUBRAT was r = −0.103 (95% CI, −0.728-0.523; p = 0.727) and r = 0.08 (95% CI, −0.55-0.70; p = 0.80), respectively. The systematic bias ± the 95% LOAs were of −0.02 ± 0.10 seconds for the ARAT and 0.03 ± 1.15 seconds for the SUBRAT. Conclusions. The main findings of this investigation showed that the ARAT is a reliable and valid test to assess the lower limb reactive agility component of elite male volleyball athletes. The SUBRAT, on the other hand, is not as reliable as the ARAT and, therefore, might not be a recommended test to assess upper body reactive agility.

Reactive Agility Instruments in Karate Kumite: Aiken Validity

Background: Reactive agility test has become one of the most important issues in improving karate skills. Therefore, an instrument is needed to develop the reactive agility test for karate. This study aimed to develop the construction of a reactive agility karate instrument. Methods: This research used mixed qualitative and quantitative methods. The participants are ten experts determined by the evaluation expert and a karate expert or both criteria. The research procedure was divided into three stages. The first stage, document analysis (international journals), was used to develop the construction of reactive agility karate instruments. The second stage was expert validation using the Delphi technique. The third stage was qualitative analysis. It consisted of the suggestion from the expert judgment. Then, the expert analyzed and revised those results until there was no revision of the reactive agility karate instrument, resulting in a coefficient value. This research instrument uses a questionnaire scale of 1 to 4, namely very relevant, relevant, less relevant, and irrelevant. Then, the data analysis used the Aiken formula. This research resulted in the construction of reactive agility karate instruments, namely, the suitability of the test material with foot movements in the karate game has a coefficient value of V 1. The relevant construction for each element of karate agility has a coefficient value of V0.962. The implementation procedure has a coefficient value of V 0.851. The relevant cone distance to the karate foot movement has a coefficient value of V 1. Conclusions: Those items above resulted in a coefficient value of more than 0.70. Indeed, it can be concluded that all experts have very high agreement on the reactive agility karate test items.

Return to play in elite rugby players after severe knee injuries.

BackgroundMedical professionals working in an elite sport environment have the challenging task to balance the athlete’s readiness to return to the playing field after severe injury with other stakeholders’ (coaches, sponsors, teammates) opinions and objectives.ObjectivesOur study aimed to evaluate differences in the physical profiles of elite rugby players at return to play (RTP) after a severe knee injury, compared with their pre-injury profiles and matched controls.MethodBefore the injury, participants performed four performance tests during their preseason screening. These tests were repeated and compared to baseline once a player was declared fit to play.ResultsSignificant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were found in the injured players’ group who were slower over 10 m speed, in their decision-making time and the total time of the reactive agility tests at RTP, whilst controls were significantly faster over 10 m and 30 m speed tests. The countermovement jump outcomes showed significant improvement in the uninjured participants (p ≤ 0.05).ConclusionOur study highlights that injured players’ running speeds and decision-making times are slower after injury. The uninjured players have a positive outcome to training and match stimulus by improving their running speed and lower body explosive power during the season.Clinical implicationsOur study provides insight into the RTP profile of elite rugby players, and a novel finding was the decision-making time deficit. This highlights the importance of cognitive training during injury rehabilitation as athletes make numerous decisions in a pressured and uncontrolled environment during a match. Speed training development is recommended as the athletes were slower after severe knee injury.

Acute Effect of Caffeine-Based Multi-Ingredient Supplement on Reactive Agility and Jump Height in Recreational Handball Players.

Pre-exercise caffeine and guarana-based multi-ingredient supplement (MS) consumption may be more effective for physical performance improvement than caffeine and guarana alone due to the synergistic effect of biologically active ingredients in multi-ingredient supplements. This study aimed to examine the acute effect of MS on the reactive agility and jump performance in recreational handball male players. A randomized, double-blind, crossover study involved twenty-four male handball players (body mass 74.6 ± 8.8 kg; body height 179 ± 7 cm; age 23.8 ± 1.4 years). Participants were tested under three conditions: placebo, caffeine + guarana (CAF + GUA), or MS ingestion 45 min before exercise tests. Participants performed a reactive agility test (Y-shaped test) and countermovement jump (CMJ). None of the supplements improved countermovement jump height (p = 0.06). The time needed to complete the agility test was significantly (p = 0.02) shorter in the MS condition than in the placebo. The differences in agility between PL vs. CAF + GUA and MS vs. CAF + GUA conditions were not statistically significant (p = 0.88 and p = 0.07, respectively). The results of this study indicate that the caffeine-based multi-ingredient performance was effective in improvement in reactive agility but not in jump height in recreational handball male players. A similar effect was not observed with CAF + GUA ingestion alone.

Intermittent Cooling Reduces Perceived Exertion but Has No Effect on Baseball Hitting or Defense Performance in a Hot Environment.

Hot environments can impair the complex cognitive functions that are crucial to baseball hitting and defense. This study investigated the effects of intermittent forehead and neck cooling on the hitting and reactive agility of baseball players in hot environments. Ten male collegiate baseball players played 7-inning intrasquad games in a hot environment (31.1°C - 33.4°C), completing one cooling and one control trial in a randomized crossover design. In the cooling trial, the participants placed ice-cold towels on their forehead and neck for 3 min during offensive half innings. Hitting and reactive agility tests, a go/no-go task, and the Stroop Color and Word Test were administered before and after each game. The games in the hot environment significantly increased rectal temperatures to the same level in the control (38.15°C ± 0.31°C, p < 0.001) and cooling (38.08°C ± 0.24°C, p < 0.001) trials. Intermittent cooling significantly reduced forehead and tympanic temperatures, perceived exertion, and thermal sensation during the game. Swing power significantly increased after the game, but the exit velocity of batted balls did not significantly differ in both trials. Reactive agility was significantly impaired after the game in the control trial (before: 0.367 ± 0.109 s, after: 0.491 ± 0.212 s, p = 0.008) but displayed a trend of decrease in the cooling trial (before: 0.390 ± 0.183 s, after: 0.518 ± 0.282 s, p = 0.066). The game and cooling intervention had no significant effects on the reaction time or error rate in the go/no-go task and Stroop Color and Word Test. The results showed that intermittent cooling during a baseball game in a hot environment reduces perceived exertion and thermal sensation but has no significant effect on hitting, defense performance, or cognitive function.

Determinants of Y-Shaped Agility Test in Basketball Players

Y-shaped agility test is a reactive agility test that includes both sensory and motor components. However, there is a lack of information about the contribution of these components to reactive agility in basketball players. Therefore, this study investigates: (i) the relationship between Y-shaped agility performance and reaction speed, sprint speed, change of direction speed, muscle strength, and (ii) determinants of this reactive agility test. Eleven male basketball players performed a Y-shaped agility test, 5 m and 20 m sprints, a 505 Agility test, squat, countermovement and drop jumps, and simple and two-choice reaction time tests. The results revealed a significant relationship between the time in Y-shaped agility test and 5 m sprint time (r = 0.795, p = 0.003, R2 = 0.632), 20 m sprint time (r = 0.676, p = 0.022, R2 = 0.457), and reactive strength index (r = −0.619, p = 0.042, R2 = 0.383), but not with simple and choice-based reaction times. These findings indicate that performance in the Y-shaped agility test is more profoundly determined by a motor rather than a sensory component. This may be ascribed to the structure of a predominantly velocity-oriented Y-shaped agility test with a small contribution of responses to visual stimuli. The adaptation of basketball players to training aimed at increasing speed and strength may also play a role. The structure of the Y-shaped agility test should be modified so as to better reflect the sensory component of reactive agility and more sensitively reveal within- and between-group differences.

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 &gt; 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

Abstract 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 &lt; 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.

Exploring the Effects of LED Lighting Training Program on Motor Performance among Young Athletes

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a BATAK Pro™ training program in combination with regular sport-specific training as compared with sport-specific training alone on motor performance among young athletes. Twenty-two athletes (aged 11–16 years) were recruited and randomly assigned to either an active control group or BATAK training group. The BATAK training program consisted of 2–3 sets of 4–5 exercises, biweekly for 12-weeks. The assessment of motor performance included upper limb movement speed, agility, reactive agility, acceleration, sprinting, and Y-Balance test. Within-group analyses revealed performance increases in the 10-m sprint test (−2.6%), and in Y-Balance test variables, specifically in anterior direction (4.0–5.4%), posteromedial direction (6.6–8.0%) and in posterolateral direction (10.7–14.6%) in the BATAK group. This study reports for the first time that the use of LED lighting devices in addition to sport-specific training promotes increases in motor skills, particularly in dynamic stability. More studies are needed to confirm whether the training-induced benefits of this novel performance tool are significantly better as compared to other approaches, and whether these results can be translated into on-field performance outcomes, not only in terms of critical motor development but also in a meaningful increase of creative actions.

Assessing the Reliability and Validity of Agility Testing in Team Sports: A Systematic Review.

Yepes, MM, Feliu, GM, Bishop, C, and Gonzalo-Skok, O. Assessing the reliability and validity of agility testing in team sports: A systematic review. J Strength Cond Res 36(7): 2035-2049, 2022-The aims of this systematic review were to (a) examine the reliability of the reactive agility tests and (b) analyze the discriminatory validity of the agility tests. A literature search was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). We explored PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane Plus databases looking for articles about agility in team sports. After filtering for article relevance, only 42 studies met the inclusion criteria; 37 of which assessed the reliability of agility tests and 22 assessing their validity. Reliability showed a high intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) in almost all studies (range 0.79-0.99) with the exception of 2 studies. In addition, other studies also assessed the reliability of decision time (ICC = 0.95), movement time (ICC = 0.92), and decision accuracy (ICC = 0.74-0.93), all of which exhibited acceptable reliability. Furthermore, these data show high discriminatory validity, with higher performance level players being faster than lower performance level players (mean = 6.4%, range = 2.1-25.3%), with a faster decision time (mean = 23.2%, range = 10.2-48.0%) with the exception of 1 study, and better decision accuracy (mean = 9.3%, range = 2.5-21.0%). Thus, it can be concluded that reactive agility tests show good reliability and discriminatory validity. However, most agility tests occur in simple contexts whereby only 2 possible responses are possible. Therefore, future research should consider creating more specific and complex environments that challenge the cognitive process of high-level athletes.

The Importance of Reactive Agility Tests in Differentiating Adolescent Soccer Players

The ability to differentiate the elite from nonelite athletes is not clearly defined. We investigated level differences in speed, change of direction speed (CODS), and reactive agility in a group of trained adolescent soccer players. A total of 75 adolescent male soccer players (aged 14–19 years) were recruited. The players were grouped based on the level of play to elite, sub-elite, and amateur players. Players were tested for 5-, 10- and 20-m sprints, CODS, and reactive agility tests (RAT). Elite players had faster reaction movement time during RAT with live opponent stimuli (p ≤ 0.01) compared to sub-elite and amateur players. Moreover, elite players showed a faster time during light stimuli (p ≤ 0.01) but only compared to amateur players. The times for 5-m and 10-m sprint groups did not differ (p > 0.05). The results demonstrated that the skilled players (elite and sub-elite) performed better in reactive agility tests, speed, and COD speed compared to amateur players. Additionally, we can conclude that total and reaction time in the agility test with live opponent stimuli can be a significant factor that differentiates between adolescent soccer players considering their level.

Importance of Agility Performance in Professional Futsal Players; Reliability and Applicability of Newly Developed Testing Protocols.

The purpose of this study was to determine the inter- and intra-testing reliability of newly developed tests of the change of direction speed (CODS) and reactive agility (RAG) in competitive futsal players. Additionally, the developed tests were evaluated for their validity with regard to the differentiation of two performance-levels. Thirty-two professional male futsal players (age = 26.22 ± 5.22 years; body height = 182.13 ± 5.99 cm, body mass = 77.43 ± 8.00 kg) participated in the study. The sample was divided into two groups based on their level of futsal performance: A top-level-group (n = 12) and a team-level-group (n = 20). The variables included body height, mass, body mass index, a sprint over a 10-m distance (S10M), and eight newly developed futsal specific CODS and RAG tests. The CODS and RAG tests were performed by dribbling the balls (CODS_D and RAG_D) and without dribbling (CODS_T and RAG_T), and the performances on the dominant and non-dominant sides were observed separately. All CODS, and RAG tests performed on dominant side and RAG_T tests performed on the non-dominant side had good inter-testing (CV = 5–8%; ICC = 0.76–0.89) and intra-testing (CV = 4–9%; ICC = 0.77–0.91) reliability. However, RAG_D performed on the non-dominant side was not reliable (ICC = 0.60, CV = 10%). The top-level-players outperformed the team-level-players in the CODS and RAG tests that involved dribbling (t-test: 4.28 and 2.40, p < 0.05; effect sizes (ES): 0.81 and 1.5, respectively), while the team-level players achieved better results in the CODS_T (t-test: 2.08, p < 0.05; ES: 0.60). The proposed CODS and RAG tests that involved dribbling over a 3.2-m distance, especially on the dominant side, appeared to be reliable, as well as valid for distinguishing the performance level in futsal players.

Detection of Persisting Concussion Effects on Measures of Neuromechanical Responsiveness

Abstract INTRODUCTION Numerous investigations have documented elevated risk for musculoskeletal injury following sport-related concussion, which suggests that an unrecognized vulnerability persists beyond the resolution of symptoms and return to sport participation. Improved clinical testing methods are needed to better assess the interrelated neurocognitive and neuromuscular capabilities of athletes who may have elevated susceptibility to MSK injury, and possible risk for long- term alterations in brain function, despite resolution of overt concussion symptoms. The term “neuromechanics” refers to the study of interactions between neural, biomechanical, and environmental dynamics We use the term “neuromechanical responsiveness” (NMR) to designate the ability to optimally integrate neurocognitive and neuromuscular processes during participation in sport-related activities. NMR testing may play an critical role in optimizing safe return to play circumstances. METHODS A cohort of 48 elite athletes (34 males: 23.8 ± 4.4 yr; 14 females: 25.4 ± 4.5 yr) performed visuomotor reaction time (VMRT) tests involving rapid manual contact with illuminated target buttons that included 2 dual-task conditions: 1) simultaneous oral recitation of scrolling text (VMRT + ST) and 2) simultaneous verbal responses to identify the right or left direction indicated by the center arrow of the Eriksen flanker test (VMRT + FT). A whole-body reactive agility (WBRA) test requiring side-shuffle movements in response to visual targets was used to assess reaction time, speed, acceleration, and deceleration. RESULTS Concussion occurrence at 2.0 ± 2.3 yr prior to testing was reported by 21 athletes. Strong univariable associations were found for VMRT + FT left minus right difference = 15 ms (OR = 7.14), VMRT + ST outer 2-ring to inner 3-ring ratio = 1.28 (OR = 4.58), and WBRA speed asymmetry = 7.7% (OR = 4.67). A large VMRT + FT X VMRT + ST interaction effect was identified (OR = 25.00). Recursive partitioning identified a 3-way VMRT + FT X VMRT + ST X WBRA interaction that had 100% positive predictive value for identification of athletes with concussion history, whereas negative status on all 3 factors provided 90% negative predictive value. CONCLUSION Performance on dual-task VMRT tests and the WBRA test identified NMR deficiencies among elite athletes who reported a history of concussion.

Effects of Neuromuscular Training on Agility Performance in Elite Soccer Players.

BackgroundAgility in general and change-of-direction speed (CoD) in particular represent important performance determinants in elite soccer.ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to determine the effects of a 6-week neuromuscular training program on agility performance, and to determine differences in movement times between the slower and faster turning directions in elite soccer players.Materials and MethodsTwenty male elite soccer players from the Stade Rennais Football Club (Ligue 1, France) participated in this study. The players were randomly assigned to a neuromuscular training group (NTG, n = 10) or an active control (CG, n = 10) according to their playing position. NTG participated in a 6-week, twice per week neuromuscular training program that included CoD, plyometric and dynamic stability exercises. Neuromuscular training replaced the regular warm-up program. Each training session lasted 30 min. CG continued their regular training program. Training volume was similar between groups. Before and after the intervention, the two groups performed a reactive agility test that included 180° left and right body rotations followed by a 5-m linear sprint. The weak side was defined as the left/right turning direction that produced slower overall movement times (MT). Reaction time (RT) was assessed and defined as the time from the first appearance of a visual stimulus until the athlete’s first movement. MT corresponded to the time from the first movement until the athlete reached the arrival gate (5 m distance).ResultsNo significant between-group baseline differences were observed for RT or MT. Significant group x time interactions were found for MT (p = 0.012, effect size = 0.332, small) for the slower and faster directions (p = 0.011, effect size = 0.627, moderate). Significant pre-to post improvements in MT were observed for NTG but not CG (p = 0.011, effect size = 0.877, moderate). For NTG, post hoc analyses revealed significant MT improvements for the slower (p = 0.012, effect size = 0.897, moderate) and faster directions (p = 0.017, effect size = 0.968, moderate).ConclusionOur results illustrate that 6 weeks of neuromuscular training with two sessions per week included in the warm-up program, significantly enhanced agility performance in elite soccer players. Moreover, improvements were found on both sides during body rotations. Thus, practitioners are advised to focus their training programs on both turning directions.

Investigation of Relationship Between Reactive Agility and Cognitive Parameters in Male Football Players

Objective: This study aims at investigating the relationship between reactive agility and cognitive performance of amateur male football players.&#x0D; &#x0D; Material and Method: Twenty-four male football players from 11 Nisan Sports Club in Şanlıurfa struggling in Regional Amateur Football League (BAL) participated in the study voluntarily. The mean age, height and weight of the football players participating in the study were 22.88 &amp;plusmn; 4.15 year, 176.76 &amp;plusmn; 5.90 cm and 69.76 &amp;plusmn; 7.61 kg, respectively. Psycho-Technical Vienna system was used for Participants&amp;rsquo; Cognitive tests, IQ (SPM), Continuous Attention (SIGNAL, SIGINAL TIME), Visual Memory (TAVTB), Determination Test (DT, DT TIME), Attention and Problem Solving (COG), Line Tracking (LVT), and Speed Distance Estimation (HMT). For the reactive agility test, the Fusion Sport Smart Speed device was used. Correlation statistics were used for the relationships between the variables. SPSS 23.0 package program was used for statistical operations. For the interpretation of statistical analyze, the significance level was accepted as 0.05.&#x0D; &#x0D; Results: There was no significant relationship between IQ (SPM), Continuous Attention (SIGNAL), Visual Memory (TAVTMB), Determination Test (DT), Attention and Problem Solving (COG), Line Tracking (LVT) with reactive agility values of male football players (p &amp;gt; 0.05), a significant relationship was found between Continuous Attention Reaction Time (SIGINAL TIME) the rRaction Time of the Determination test (DT TIME) and Speed Distance Estimation (HMT) (p &amp;lt; 0.05).&#x0D; &#x0D; Conclusion: As the content of the reactive agility test was based only on the speed and reaction speed against light and noise, it was found that the players were only associated with speed distance estimation and response time among the reactive agility performance and the cognitive tests. In order to determine the relationship between reactive agility and cognitive performance, there is a need for new reactive agility tests which are designed according to the branches where there is a distinction between competitor and team player requiring visual memory, attention, reaction, and double action skills.

Effects of a Rugby League Match Simulation on Decision-Making in Elite Junior Rugby League.

Redman, K, Steel, K, Kelly, V, and Siegler, J. Effects of a rugby league match simulation on decision-making in elite junior rugby league. J Strength Cond Res 35(7): 1972-1980, 2021-The paucity of research on decision-making in Rugby league within the context of a match, and the potential for age and playing experience to influence decision-making ability, warrants further investigation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of a simulated rugby league match on decision-making in elite junior rugby league players. Twenty male junior rugby league players (age 15.9 ± 0.9 years, body mass 87.3 ± 14.3 kg, height 1.82 ± 0.07 m, playing experience 10.2 ± 2.4 years) completed a match simulation protocol that replicated the physiological demands of an elite junior rugby league match. Decision-making performance was measured prematch, midmatch, and postmatch simulation through a reactive agility test and video-based temporal occlusion task. Upper- and lower-body neuromuscular measures as well as ratings of perceived exertion were obtained before decision-making assessments to quantify fatigue. A 2-way mixed analysis of variance with Bonferroni corrections was used to assess changes during the simulation, and significance was accepted at p < 0.05. The main finding of this study was despite observing a decline in neuromuscular function during the match simulation protocol (countermovement jump declined 1.9 ± 0.6 cm [95% confidence intervals 0.4-3.5]; p < 0.05), this decline did not significantly affect decision-making performance (reactive agility test [p = 0.58]; temporal occlusion [p = 0.88]). These results suggest elite junior rugby league players are capable of sustaining performance during a progressively fatiguing match simulation.

Programirana i neprogramirana agilnost u diagnostici sportaša

The aim of the study is to examine the differences between four pre-planned and non-planned agility tests. The movement structure of the tests combined frontal, universal, semi-circular, and lateral agility components. The sample of participants comprised 45 male athletes and 31 female athletes. The time-based parameters for pre-planned and non-planned agility tests were determined using the FitLight Trainer, a wireless training system which is comprised of seven LEDpowered lights and controlled via an Android application. The results obtained were then statistically processed using the SPSS software package. Basic descriptive parameters were calculated for all the testing protocols. The differences between the pre-planned and non-planned test versions were evidenced by an independent T-test. A correlation analysis was performed to analyse the relationships between pre-planned and non-planned agility performances in the selected tests, as well as to determine the correlation between the agility performance and the space of linear sprint speed and reactive strength. The results of the study showed statistically significant differences in selected tests of pre-planned (non-reactive) and non-planned (reactive) agility between both sub-samples. Significant differences were also observed in the reactive and nonreactive agility tests for men as well as women. The difference between male and female athletes was the highest in the non-planned frontal agility test (FRA), followed by the pre-planned frontal agility test (FRA), and pre-planned semicircular agility test (SCA), whereas the global agility test (GLA) showed the lowest difference. In the sub-sample of male athletes, the difference between the known and unknown movement routines was highest in the global agility test (22.3%), while the lowest gap was reported in the relationship between the reactive and non-reactive lateral agility tests (13.5%). The differences between the pre-planned and non-planned agility tests in females were also statistically significant.

Does Sport-Specific Experience Affect Reaction Times in the Premotor Phase?

Objective: When reacting in a sport-specific situation, athletes use body movements as cues. For example, soccer players use lower body movements as cues, while volleyball players use upper body movements as cues. Despite differences in these focal points, both groups of players use specific cues to recognize sport-specific situations, based on sports-specific experience. This paper aims to investigate how sports-specific knowledge and experience affect reaction times associated with anticipation and prediction by comparing responses during simple and complex tasks performed by athletes with different backgrounds (soccer and volleyball). Methods: Twenty-six collegiate male soccer players (20.0 ± 0.77 years) and twenty-one collegiate male volleyball players (19.8 ± 0.98 years) completed video-based single direction (SDRT) and multiple direction (MDRT) reactive agility test trials. Participants reacted to a soccer pass that was executed by the model in the video. Both groups completed a questionnaire about the reaction cue used. A two-factor mixed analysis of variance, with the withinfactor as “Tasks” (i.e., SDRT, MDRT) and the between-factor as “Sports” (i.e., Soccer, Volleyball), analyzed the main effects and interactions. The generalized η2 was used to compare the withinand between-factors, and Cohen’s d was used to compare the effect size between groups. For the questionnaire, a chi-square test of independence was used. Results: The time from presentation of the stimulus to the time when the participant started to move was shorter in the simple task condition (i.e., SDRT; p<0.01), and for more experienced soccer players (p<0.01). The generalized η2 was larger in the betweenfactor “Sports” than the within-factor “Tasks.” The Cohen’s d between tasks was greater in the volleyball group than the soccer group. No significant differences in the questionnaire responses were found between sports groups. Conclusion: These results suggest that sport-specific experience affects reaction times in the premotor phase.

Detection of Persisting Concussion Effects on Neuromechanical Responsiveness.

Assessment of various indices of neuromechanical responsiveness for association with concussion history. An observational cohort study included 48 elite athletes (34 males: 23.8 ± 4.4 yr; 14 females: 25.4 ± 4.5 yr) who performed visuomotor reaction time (VMRT) tests involving rapid manual contact with illuminated target buttons that included two dual-task conditions: 1) simultaneous oral recitation of scrolling text (VMRT+ST) and 2) simultaneous verbal responses to identify the right or left direction indicated by the center arrow of the Eriksen flanker test (VMRT+FT). A whole-body reactive agility (WBRA) test requiring side-shuffle movements in response to visual targets was used to assess reaction time, speed, acceleration, and deceleration. Concussion occurrence at 2.0 ± 2.3 yr before testing was reported by 21 athletes. Strong univariable associations were found for VMRT+FT left minus right difference ≥15 ms (odds ratio [OR], 7.14), VMRT+ST outer two-ring to inner three-ring ratio ≥1.28 (OR, 4.58), and WBRA speed asymmetry ≥7.7% (OR, 4.67). A large VMRT+FT by VMRT+ST interaction effect was identified (OR, 25.00). Recursive partitioning identified a three-way VMRT+FT by VMRT+ST by WBRA interaction that had 100% positive predictive value for identification of athletes with concussion history, whereas negative status on all three factors had 90% negative predictive value. Performance on dual-task VMRT tests and the WBRA test identified neuromechanical responsiveness deficiencies among elite athletes who reported a history of concussion.