The Relationship Between Performance and Asymmetries in Different Multidirectional Sprint Tests in Soccer Players

Fílter, Alberto, Beltrán-Garrido, Vicente, Dos’Santos, Thomas, Romero-Rodríguez, Daniel, Requena, Bernardo, Loturco, Irineu and Madruga-Parera, Marc (2021) The Relationship Between Performance and Asymmetries in Different Multidirectional Sprint Tests in Soccer Players. Journal of Human Kinetics, 79. pp. 155-164. ISSN 1640-5544

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Abstract

Practitioners usually include change of direction (COD) and linear speed measurements in the testing batteries of soccer players; however, despite being a commonly occurring action, curve sprint (CS) ability is rarely assessed in soccer. The aims of this study were to analyze the association between linear sprint, CS, and COD speed performances, and compare the association and direction of asymmetries between these skills. Thirty-three male soccer players performed linear sprint (17 m), CS (17 m), and COD-90º speed tests (COD [8.5 + 8.5 m]). Our main findings were (a) a large relationship between linear and multidirectional tasks (COD-90º and CS tests) (r = from 0.6 to 0.64, p < 0.05), (b) a moderate relationship between CS and COD-90º tests (r = from 0.33 to 0.41, p < 0.05), with a certain opposite tendency (higher relationships between opposing directions [CurveLEFT - CODRIGHT; r = 0.41] than between equal directions [CurveLEFT – CODLEFT; r = 0.33]), and (c) no relationship (p > 0.05) between COD and CS asymmetries, with opposing directional dominance in ~70% of players (e.g., curve left and COD right dominance). These results indicate that performance in linear sprints is strongly related to performance in multidirectional trajectories, whereas CS and COD-90º seem to be more independent actions. Additionally, the direction of asymmetry or dominance is generally opposite between the non-linear tasks measured.