Evaluation of the novel test for assessment of the starting acceleration within soccer players: Pilot Study

Authors

Denić Lazar

Abstract

Start acceleration represents one of the most critical determinants of success in many team sports disciplines. Therefore, training and mainly testing the ability to initiate running (start acceleration) attracts the attention of both scientists and practitioners. The current study aimed to assess a modified 10m sprint running test (novel test). Twenty amateur soccer players participated in the study. They performed the standard 10m sprint test and the modified 10m sprint test. Correlation coefficients between the same variables were calculated within tests (between consecutive trials) and between outcomes of two tests (better results). In addition, the outcomes of two tests were compared by applying a t-test for dependent samples. Correlation coefficients for variables obtained in consecutive trials in both tests were mainly moderate (from 0.443 to 0.843). The correlations between tests were moderate (from 0.572 to 0.793). Sprint time on the first 5m and 10m was significantly lower in the modified test (p<0.01). The current study's finding suggests that the 10m sprint test modification deserves attention and that the test should be further evaluated.

Keywords

sprint, testing, soccer

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