Relationship between agility performance and rebound jump performance or mechanics during takeoff

Abstract

This study aimed to clarify the relationship between agility performance and rebound jump (RJ) performance and mechanics during takeoff. Seventeen female university soccer athletes (age: 20.0 ± 1.1 years; height: 163.5 ± 6.0 cm; mass: 57.75 ± 4.3 kg) participated in the study. They performed a 20 m sprint test, a change of direction (COD) test conducted both with (agility test) and without decision-making, and RJ tests. Performance variables from each test were recorded, and additionally, the kinematic and kinetic variables of the three lower limb joints during RJ takeoff were analyzed. Significant positive correlations were found between COD time or agility time and RJ-index (jump height/contact time) as well as jump height, whereas a correlation with contact time was observed only in agility time. Furthermore, during RJ takeoff, several mechanical variables including ankle joint eccentric and concentric torque, negative power, hip joint extension torque, eccentric and concentric torque, positive power, and positive work were significantly correlated with COD time and agility time. Additionally, agility time exhibited a significant correlation with knee joint flexion and mean eccentric extension torque. These findings suggest that agility test performance is influenced not only by RJ-index and jump height but also by contact time and eccentric force exertion in the three lower limb joints during RJ takeoff.