Cited by 1,707Sports Performance and TrainingSport Psychology and PerformancePhysical Education and Training Studies

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Agility literature review: Classifications, training and testing

Sheppard, J. M., Young, W. B.·2006·Journal of Sports Sciences

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Abstract

At present, no agreement on a precise definition of agility within the sports science community exists. The term is applied to a broad range of sport contexts, but with such great inconsistency, it further complicates our understanding of what trainable components may enhance agility. A new definition of agility is proposed: "a rapid whole-body movement with change of velocity or direction in response to a stimulus". Agility has relationships with trainable physical qualities such as strength, power and technique, as well as cognitive components such as visual-scanning techniques, visual-scanning speed and anticipation. Agility testing is generally confined to tests of physical components such as change of direction speed, or cognitive components such as anticipation and pattern recognition. New tests of agility that combine physical and cognitive measures are encouraged.

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Assessment of Physical Performance for Individualized Training Prescription in Tennis
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Reliability, Validity and Usefulness of a New Response Time Test for Agility-Based Sports: A Simple vs. Complex Motor Task.
Pojskić, H., Pagaduan, J. C., Užičanin, E., Šeparović, V., Spasić, M., Foretić, N., & Sekulić, D. (2019) · PubMed Central · Cited by 20
Physical and Physiological Response to Different Modes of Repeated Sprint Exercises in Basketball Players
Paulauskas, R., Kamarauskas, P., Nekriošius, R., & Bigwood, N. M. (2020) · Journal of Human Kinetics · doi:10.2478/hukin-2019-0100 · Cited by 21
“Changes of direction played a key role, and it was considered as the interplay of a number of physical and neuromuscular components (Sheppard and Young, 2006).”
Background
Predicting Agility Performance with other Performance Variables in Pubescent Boys: A Multiple-Regression Approach
Sekulić, D., Spasić, M., & Esco, M. R. (2014) · Perceptual and Motor Skills · doi:10.2466/25.10.pms.118k16w4 · Cited by 20
ASSESSMENT OF DECELERATION ABILITY AND RELATIONSHIP TO APPROACH SPEED AND ECCENTRIC STRENGTH
Graham‐Smith, P., Rumpf, M. C., & Jones, P. A. (2018) · ISBS Proceedings Archive · Cited by 20
Reaction time in the Agility Test under simulated competitive and noncompetitive conditions
Zemková, E., Vilman, T., Kováčiková, Z., & Hamar, D. (2013) · Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research · doi:10.1519/jsc.0b013e3182903222 · Cited by 19
Change of Direction Performance Is Influenced by Asymmetries in Jumping Ability and Hip and Trunk Strength in Elite Basketball Players
Ujaković, F., & Šarabon, N. (2020) · Applied Sciences · doi:10.3390/app10196984 · Cited by 19
Effects of Strength vs. Plyometric Training on Change of Direction Performance in Experienced Soccer Players
Rædergård, H. G., Falch, H. N., & van den Tillaar, R. (2020) · Sports · doi:10.3390/sports8110144 · Cited by 23
“Sheppard and Young [5] defined it as a pre-planned rapid whole-body movement with changes in velocity and direction.”
Background
Agility testing in amateur soccer: A pilot study of selected physical and perceptual-cognitive contributions
Altmann, S., Neumann, R., Härtel, S., Kurz, G., Stein, T., & Wöll, A. (2021) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0253819 · Cited by 19
The association between Y-balance test scores, injury, and physical performance in elite adolescent Australian footballers
Bennett, H., Chalmers, S., Milanese, S., & FULLER, J. T. (2021) · Journal of science and medicine in sport · doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2021.10.014 · Cited by 19
Fitness Testing in Soccer Revisited: Developing a Contemporary Testing Battery
Taylor, J. M., Madden, J. L., Cunningham, L. P., & Wright, M. (2022) · Strength and conditioning journal · doi:10.1519/ssc.0000000000000702 · Cited by 19
Anthropometric and Physiological Profiles of Hungarian Youth Male Soccer Players of Varying Ages and Playing Positions: A Multidimensional Assessment with a Critical Approach
Soós, I., Borysławski, K., Boraczyński, M., Ihász, F., & Podstawski, R. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph191711041 · Cited by 25
“However, it should be noted that the players’ ability to change direction during the match depends not only on physical capacity, but also on perceptual and decision-making factors (reaction skills) that are largely genetically conditioned [64].”
Background
The effects of knee extensor eccentric training on functional tests in healthy subjects
dos Santos, H. H., Ávila, M. A., Hanashiro, D. N., Camargo, P. R., & Salvini, T. F. (2010) · Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy · doi:10.1590/s1413-35552010005000014 · Cited by 19
Specificity of jumping, acceleration and quick change of direction motor abilities in soccer players
Arcos, A. L., & Yanci, J. (2017) · Kinesiology · doi:10.26582/k.49.1.12 · Cited by 19
Within - and between - Session Reliability of the Spider Drill Test to Assess Change of Direction Speed in Youth Tennis Athletes
Huggins, J. (2017) · International Journal of Sports and Exercise Medicine · doi:10.23937/2469-5718/1510074 · Cited by 19
Change-of-Direction Deficit vs. Deceleration Deficit: A Comparison of Limb Dominance and Inter-limb Asymmetry between Forwards and Backs in Elite Male Rugby Union Players
Bishop, C. J., Clarke, R., Freitas, T. T., de Arruda, A. F. S., Guerriero, A., Ramos, M. S., Pereira, L. A., & Loturco, I. (2020) · Journal of Sports Sciences · doi:10.1080/02640414.2020.1857578 · Cited by 19
“Change of direction (COD) speed is one of the most important physical qualities for team sport athletes (Nimphius et al., 2016, 2013; Sheppard & Young, 2006).”
Background
Advanced performance analysis of the Illinois agility test based on the tangential velocity and turning radius in wheelchair rugby athletes
Usma-Mansfield, C., Chua, J. J. C., Fuss, F. K., Subic, A., & Burton, M. (2010) · Sports Technology · doi:10.1080/19346182.2011.564284 · Cited by 19
Inertial sensor and cluster analysis for discriminating agility run technique and quantifying changes across load
McGinnis, R. S., Cain, S. M., Davidson, S. P., Vitali, R. V., McLean, S. G., & Perkins, N. C. (2016) · Biomedical Signal Processing and Control · doi:10.1016/j.bspc.2016.10.013 · Cited by 19
Changes in Sprint-Related Outcomes During a Period of Systematic Training in a Girls' Soccer Academy
Wright, M., & Atkinson, G. (2017) · The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research · doi:10.1519/jsc.0000000000002055 · Cited by 19
Strength and Conditioning Recommendations for Female GAA Athletes: The Camogie Player
Duggan, J. D., Moody, J. A., Byrne, P. J., & Ryan, L. (2020) · Strength and conditioning journal · doi:10.1519/ssc.0000000000000577 · Cited by 19
“Agility had been defined as a rapid whole-body movement, which involves a change of velocity or direction in response to a stimulus (142).”
Background
Are change of direction speed and agility different abilities from time and coordinative perspectives?
Morral-Yepes, M., Gonzalo‐Skok, Ó., Dos’Santos, T., & Moras, G. (2023) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0295405 · Cited by 18
Effects of 6-Week Motor-Cognitive Agility Training on Football Test Performance in Adult Amateur Players – A Three-Armed Randomized Controlled Trial
Friebe, D., Banzer, W. E., Giesche, F., Haser, C., Hülsdünker, T., Pfab, F., Rußmann, F., Sieland, J., Spataro, F., & Vogt, L. (2024) · Journal of Sports Science and Medicine · doi:10.52082/jssm.2024.276 · Cited by 18
“…and changing game situations through whole body movements (e.g. accelerations, cuttings; (Sheppard and Young, 2006)), is an important factor for performance and injury prevention in modern football (Mi-jatovic et al., 2022; Trajković et al., 2020; Kolodziej et al., 2022; Sheppard and Young, 2006).”
Background
A Simple Field Tapping Test for Evaluating Frequency Qualities of the Lower Limb Neuromuscular System in Soccer Players: A Validity and Reliability Study
Chaabouni, S., Methnani, R., Al-Hadabi, B., Busafi, M. A., Al-Kitani, M., Jadidi, K. A., Samozino, P., Moalla, W., & Gmada, N. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph19073792 · Cited by 24
“COD is defined as a quick whole-body movement with a change of velocity or direction [12] where short and high-frequency movements are closely dependent.”
Background
Reliability and Validity of a New Taekwondo-Specific Change-of-Direction Speed Test With Striking Techniques in Elite Taekwondo Athletes: A Pilot Study
Aloui, A., Tayech, A., Mejri, M. A., Makhlouf, I., Clark, C. C. T., Granacher, U., Zouhal, H., & Abderrahman, A. B. (2022) · Frontiers in Physiology · doi:10.3389/fphys.2022.774546 · Cited by 18
“This is in accordance with previous studies that reported acceleration as an important aspect in COD movements (Young et al., 2002; Sheppard and Young, 2006; Zemková and Hamar, 2017; Chaabene et al., 2018a; Chtara et al., 2020).”
MethodResult
Assessment framework for workforce agility in higher education institutions
Menon, S., & Suresh, M. (2022) · Higher Education Skills and Work-based Learning · doi:10.1108/heswbl-01-2022-0014 · Cited by 18
Effects of athletic training on physical fitness and stroke velocity in healthy youth and adult tennis players: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Lambrich, J., & Muehlbauer, T. (2023) · Frontiers in Sports and Active Living · doi:10.3389/fspor.2022.1061087 · Cited by 18
Enhancing Physical Fitness and Promoting Healthy Lifestyles in Junior Tennis Players: Evaluating the Influence of “Plyospecific” Training on Youth Agility
Marin, A., Ștefănică, V., & Roşculeţ, I. (2023) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su15139925 · Cited by 18
Assessing Limb Dominance and Interlimb Asymmetries Over Multiple Angles During Change of Direction Speed Tests in Basketball Players
Gonzalo‐Skok, Ó., Dos’Santos, T., & Bishop, C. J. (2023) · The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research · doi:10.1519/jsc.0000000000004558 · Cited by 18
“Given the high prevalence of COD actions during competitive team sports, its assessment should be considered a key factor supported by previous research (38).”
Background
Assessment of Motor Fitness Metrics among Athletes in Different Sports: An Original Research
Reza, M. N., Rahman, M. H., Islam, M. S., Mola, D. W., & Andrabi, S. M. H. (2024) · Physical Education Theory and Methodology · doi:10.17309/tmfv.2024.1.06 · Cited by 18
“For example, while basketball, soccer, and tennis athletes prioritize motor fitness components, particularly speed, agility, endurance, and changing directions quickly on the field as the game demands (Sheppard & Young, 2006; Kumar & Singh, 2018; Is-lam, 2018).”
Background
The Reliability of a Functional Agility Test for Water Polo
Tucher, G., Castro, F. A. D. S., Garrido, N. D., & Silva, A. J. (2014) · Journal of Human Kinetics · doi:10.2478/hukin-2014-0046 · Cited by 18
The Functional Test for Agility Performance is a Reliable Quick Decision-Making Test for Skilled Water Polo Players
Tucher, G., Castro, F. A. D. S., Silva, A. J., & Garrido, N. D. (2015) · Journal of Human Kinetics · doi:10.1515/hukin-2015-0044 · Cited by 20
Relationship Between Morphological Characteristics and Match Performance in Junior Soccer Players
Sporiš, G., Dujic, I., Trajković, N., Milanović, Z., & Madić, D. M. (2017) · International Journal of Morphology · doi:10.4067/s0717-95022017000100007 · Cited by 18
Quantifying performance on an outdoor agility drill using foot-mounted inertial measurement units
Zaferiou, A. M., Ojeda, L., Cain, S. M., Vitali, R. V., Davidson, S. P., Stirling, L., & Perkins, N. C. (2017) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0188184 · Cited by 18
Effect of Asymmetry on Biomechanical Characteristics During 180° Change of Direction
THOMAS, C. R., Dos’Santos, T., Comfort, P., & Jones, P. A. (2020) · The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research · doi:10.1519/jsc.0000000000003553 · Cited by 18
Validity and Reliability of a Photoelectric Cells System for the Evaluation of Change of Direction and Lateral Jumping Abilities in Collegiate Basketball Athletes
Condello, G., Khemtong, C., Lee, Y.-H., Chen, C., Mandorino, M., Santoro, E., Liu, C., & Tessitore, A. (2020) · Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology · doi:10.3390/jfmk5030055 · Cited by 23
Validitas Aiken’s instrumen tes untuk mengukur reaktif agility olahraga khusus tenis meja
Tomoliyus, T., & Sunardianta, R. (2020) · Jurnal Keolahragaan · doi:10.21831/jk.v8i2.32492 · Cited by 18
Classifying Young Soccer Players by Training Performances
Abade, E., Gonçalves, B. V., Silva, A. M. P. E., Leite, N. M. C., Castagna, C., & Sampaio, J. E. (2014) · Perceptual and Motor Skills · doi:10.2466/10.25.pms.119c31z8 · Cited by 18
Benchmarking Agility For Multilegged Terrestrial Robots
Eckert, P., & Ijspeert, A. J. (2019) · IEEE Transactions on Robotics · doi:10.1109/tro.2018.2888977 · Cited by 18
“[3] J. Sheppard and W. Young, “Agility literature review: Classifications, training and testing,” J. Sports Sci., vol. 24, no. 9, pp. 919–932, 2006.”
BackgroundInfluential
Change of Direction Asymmetry in Youth Elite Tennis Players: A Longitudinal Study
D’Hondt, J., & Chapelle, L. (2023) · International Journal of Sports Medicine · doi:10.1055/a-2231-9630 · Cited by 17
“Change of direction (COD) is an important component of agility that has been defined as “a rapid whole-body movement with change of velocity or direction in response to a stimulus” [1].”
Background

Authors: Sheppard, J. M., & Young, W. B.
Affiliations: Federation University (AU)
Corresponding author: Sheppard, J. M.
ORCID: Sheppard, J. M.
Young, W. B.
Venue: Journal of Sports Sciences
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Published: 2006-09
Volume: 24
Issue: 9
Pages: 919-932
ISSN: 0264-0414 (ISSN-L)
1466-447X
DOI: 10.1080/02640410500457109
OpenAlex: W2001840036
Cited by: 1,707
References: 60
Citations by year: 2026: 167 · 2025: 140 · 2024: 143 · 2023: 137 · 2022: 148 · 2021: 138 · 2020: 139 · 2019: 105 · 2018: 93 · 2017: 87 · 2016: 87 · 2015: 72 · 2014: 69 · 2013: 57 · 2012: 38
FWCI: 12.90
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Journal of Sports Sciences (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
FedUni ResearchOnline (Federation University Australia) (submittedVersion, public-domain)
Topics: Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Sport Psychology and Performance
Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Physical Education and Training Studies
Keywords: agility, agility training, agility test, change of direction speed, visual exploration, anticipation, pattern recognition, physical properties, cognitive factors, strength and power
MeSH terms: Acceleration, Anthropometry, Cognition, Humans, Leg, Movement, Running, Sports, Muscle Strength

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Agility literature review: Classifications, training and testing

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