The application of change of direction deficit to evaluate cutting ability

Cuthbert, M; Dos'Santos, T; Thomas, C; Jones, PA

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the application of the change of direction deficit (CODD) to a 90° cut test in order to examine whether CODD provides a unique evaluation of an individual’s cutting ability. Thirty-six male collegiate team–sport (23 Rugby/ 13 Soccer) athletes (age: 20 ± 1.4 years; height: 1.80 ± 0.08 m; mass: 83 ± 13.2 kg) participated in the study. Each athlete performed 3 trials of a 20 m sprint (with 5 m and 10 m splits) and 2 change of direction [COD] tests (90° cut and 505 tests) cutting/ turning from both limbs. Completion times for all sprint and COD tests were measured using timing cells. For both COD tests, CODD was determined (COD completion time – 10 m sprint time). Pearson’s correlation was used to explore relationships between sprint times and CODD and completion times. Significant (P < 0.001) moderate to large (r ≥ 0.467) correlations between sprint times and 90°cut completion times for left and right cuts were observed. Non-significant (P > 0.05) trivial to small correlations (r ≤ 0.199) were found between sprint variables and 90° cut CODD. Significant (P < 0.001) large to very large correlations (r ≥ 0.531) were revealed between left and right 90° cut and 90° cut CODD. The results suggest the CODD could be applied to isolate and assess cutting ability in COD speed tests that involve a single cutting maneuver. Failure to inspect CODD could lead to incorrect evaluation of an athletes cutting or COD ability.

Citation

Cuthbert, M., Dos'Santos, T., Thomas, C., & Jones, P. (2017). The application of change of direction deficit to evaluate cutting ability. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 33(8), 2138-2144. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002346

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 26, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Nov 20, 2017
• Publication Date: Nov 20, 2017
• Deposit Date: Nov 8, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 20, 2018
• Journal: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
• Print ISSN: 1064-8011
• Electronic ISSN: 1533-4287
• Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
• Volume: 33
• Issue: 8
• Pages: 2138-2144
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002346
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002346
• Related Public URLs: http://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/pages/default.aspx