Change of Direction Ability as a Sensitive Marker of Adaptation to Different Training Configurations, and Different Populations: Results from Four Experiments

Abstract

Abstract This article includes four separate experiments. In the first experiment male beach handball players (n = 24) were randomly assigned to regular training (n = 12) or plyometric and sprint training (n = 12). In the second experiment, male players were assigned to a handball practice only (n = 12), a plyometric training (n = 12), or an eccentric-overload (e.g., versa-pulley machine) training group (n = 12). In the third experiment, participants were assigned to padel training (n = 12) or specific on-court neuromuscular technical actions (n = 12). In the fourth experiment, females between 50–59 years (n = 25), 60–64 years (n = 25), and 65–70 years (n = 25) completed 10 weeks of bench stepping training involving jumps, and were compared to age-matched controls (n = 45). The COD ability was assessed with the 10-m COD ability test (experiments one and two), the COD ability test with 90º and 180º turns (third experiment), and with the timed-up-and-go test (fourth experiment). In experiment one, greater COD improvement was noted in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In experiment two, both intervention groups similarly improved COD when compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In experiment three, although no significant group-time interactions were observed for COD, the experimental group improved all COD measures pre-post-training (p < 0.05), with a larger effect size for COD with 180° turn to the right compared to the control group (effect size = 0.8 vs. 0.3). In experiment four, the three training groups improved COD ability compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, COD is a sensitive marker of adaptation to different training configurations in these diverse groups.