Testing variations of methodological characteristics in the 5-0-5 test: impact of the linear sprint on change-of-direction deficit in adult male soccer players

Abstract

Purpose. The study compared the change-of-direction deficit (CODD) using the first 10-m sprint of a 40-m sprint test (CODDoriginal), the 10-m time that precedes the 5-0-5 test (CODD5-0-5start), and the best 10-m split of a 40-m sprint test (CODDbest). Methods. A cross-sectional study design was applied. Twenty elite male soccer players (age: 21.6 ± 2.0 years; experience: 8.7 ± 2.3 years; body mass: 73.2 ± 6.1 kg; stature: 174.8 ± 4.5 cm) voluntarily participated in this study. They were assessed in the following tests: (i) 40-m linear sprint test and (ii) 5-0-5 test with a pre-planned 180° change-of-direction (COD) (left and right sides). CODD for both sides was calculated as the difference between average 5-0-5 and CODDoriginal, COODbest, and CODD5-0-5start. Results. The time over 10 m during the 30–40-m split of a 40-m sprint test was significantly shorter than the first 10 m of the same sprint test (best times: p < 0.001, d = –7.077; average time: p < 0.001, d = –1.140) and the first 10-m acceleration phase of the 5-0-5 test (best times: p < 0.001, d = 9.000; average times: p < 0.001, d = –8.500). No significant differences were found between the first 10 m of the 40-m sprint test and the 5-0-5 test (best times: p > 0.999, d = 0.133; average times: p = 0.990, d = 0.047). Comparisons of CODD revealed significant differences between approaches (best times: F = 201.7, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.914; average times: F = 196.2, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.912). However, there were no significant correlations between any CODD outcomes and the 40-m sprint test (p > 0.05). Conclusions. CODD calculated with the first 10 m and the best 10 m of a sprint test was significantly different; similarities existed between the initial 10 m of a 40-m sprint test and the 5-0-5 test. Therefore, to save time and resources, practitioners could use the first 10-m acceleration phase of the 5-0-5 since no significant differences were found between the initial 10 m of a linear sprint test.