Assessing validity of agility and change of direction tests in soccer players: A factor analysis

Abstract

Introduction: This study investigated the construct validity of commonly used change of direction and agility tests in elite soccer players through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Change of direction tasks involve preplanned movement patterns, whereas agility tasks require reactive responses to external stimuli, indicating greater perceptual–cognitive demand and a more complex integration of motor and decision-making processes. Despite this conceptual distinction, both constructs are frequently assessed using similar field-based tests, raising questions about their discriminant and construct validity. Methods: Sixty-six high-performance soccer players completed a comprehensive testing battery consisting of four change of direction tests, four agility tests, and three linear sprint tests (5, 10, and 15 m). All tests were administered under standardized conditions. Data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis to identify underlying latent structures, followed by confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate model fit and construct coherence. Results: Exploratory factor analysis identified four factors: Speed, change of direction, T-test, and agility. Speed and change of direction tests demonstrated strong and distinct factor loadings, supporting their validity as independent physical performance constructs. In contrast, agility tests did not consistently load onto a single factor, with only the Y-test demonstrating a meaningful loading. Confirmatory factor analysis supported these findings, indicating good model fit for speed and change of direction constructs, but poor fit for agility. Discussion: These findings suggest that commonly used agility tests may not adequately capture agility as a unified construct. The results highlight the need for more ecologically valid and cognitively demanding assessments that better reflect perception–action coupling. From an applied perspective, these limitations may affect test selection and neuromuscular monitoring strategies within soccer injury risk management frameworks. Overall, this study reinforces the importance of construct validation in performance testing and calls for a critical reassessment of current agility assessment tools in elite soccer.