Agility in Team Sports: Testing, Training and Factors Affecting Performance
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SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Agility in Team Sports: Testing, Training and Factors Affecting Performance Darren J. Paul1 • Tim J. Gabbett2 • George P. Nassis1
Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015
Abstract Background Agility is an important characteristic of team sports athletes. There is a growing interest in the factors that influence agility performance as well as appropriate testing protocols and training strategies to assess and improve this quality. Objective The objective of this systematic review was to (1) evaluate the reliability and validity of agility tests in team sports, (2) detail factors that may influence agility performance, and (3) identify the effects of different interventions on agility performance. Methods The review was undertaken in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We conducted a search of PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and SPORTDiscus databases. We assessed the methodological quality of intervention studies using a customized checklist of assessment criteria. Results Intraclass correlation coefficient values were 0.80–0.91, 0.10–0.81, and 0.81–0.99 for test time using light, video, and human stimuli. A low-level reliability was reported for youth athletes using the video stimulus (0.10–0.30). Higher-level participants were shown to be, on
& Darren J. Paul [email protected] 1
2
Aspetar-Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, National Sports Medicine Programme, Excellence in Football Project, PO BOX 29222, Doha, Qatar School of Exercise Science, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
average, 7.5 % faster than their lower level counterparts. Reaction time and accuracy, foot placement, and in-line lunge movement have been shown to be related to agility performance. The contribution of strength remains unclear. Efficacy of interventions on agility performance ranged from 1 % (vibration training) to 7.5 % (small-sided games training). Conclusions Agility tests generally offer good reliability, although this may be compromised in younger participants responding to various scenarios. A human and/or video stimulus seems the most appropriate method to discriminate between standard of playing ability. Decision-making and perceptual factors are often propositioned as discriminant factors; however, the underlying mechanisms are relatively unknown. Research has focused predominantly on the physical element of agility. Small-sided games and video training may offer effective methods of improving agility, although practical issues may hinder the latter.
Key Points Agility tests are generally considered a reliable and valid method of assessing the perceptual and physical components of agility. Decision-making and perceptual factors are often heralded as being key factors to distinguish between standard of playing ability. However, the mediating factors remain relatively unknown. The contribution of strength is unclear. Larger improvements in performance are likely to be made with an inter
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