Maximal unilateral leg strength correlates with linear sprint and change of direction speed

Abstract: Movement patterns in intermittent sports is influenced by change of direction speed (CODS) performance (i.e., acceleration and deceleration in short sprints). A crosssectional study was used to examine if CODS (modified pro agility test) and linear sprint (5, 10 and 20 m) correlated with maximal (1RM) unilateral leg strength (unilateral Smith machine squat and unilateral leg press) and unilateral standing balance. Twenty youth male college athletes (soccer players n=10, ice-hockey players n=10, weight 76.8±6.6 kg, height 180.5±5.9 cm, age, 16.6±1.3 years) performed the tests. A significant (P<0.005) moderately strong correlation between CODS and normalized unilateral squat strength was found (r = -0.606). Furthermore, a significant (P<0.003) moderately strong correlation between CODS and normalized unilateral leg press strength were found (r = -0.631). A significant (P<0.003, P<0.002, respectively) moderately strong correlation between CODS and linear sprint (10, 20 m) were found (r = -0.629, r = -0.641, respectively). Normalized unilateral squat strength had a significant (P<0.015) moderately strong correlation to 10 m linear sprint (r = -0.534). Normalized unilateral leg press strength had a significant (P<0.006) moderately strong correlation to 10 m linear sprint (r = -0.593). Between normalized unilateral squat strength and 20 m linear sprint there was a significant (P<0.027) moderately low correlation (r = -0.493). The correlation between normalized unilateral leg press strength and 20 m linear sprint was significant (P<0.020) moderately strong (r = -0.514). The findings suggest that unilateral maximal strength testing is a good predictor for CODS and linear sprint for soccer players and ice-hockey players.