Reliability and Validity of a New Test of Change of Direction in Padel Athletes
Authors:   Research Unit (UR17JS01) Sport Performance, Health & Society, Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar-Saïd, 20, Rue des Travailleurs, Manouba 2011, Tunisia, Attia Ahmed , Negra Yassine ,   Research Unit (UR17JS01) Sport Performance, Health & Society, Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar-Saïd, 20, Rue des Travailleurs, Manouba 2011, Tunisia, Sammoud Senda ,   Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar-Saïd, 20, Rue des Travailleurs, Manouba 2011, Tunisia, Khemiri Aymen ,   Research Unit (UR17JS01) Sport Performance, Health & Society, Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar-Saïd, 20, Rue des Travailleurs, Manouba 2011, Tunisia, Farhat Nejiba ,   Hospital of Kalaa Kebira, sahloul 3 , n°316 Rue de Florence , Sousse 4051 , Tunisia, Petrova Lilliya G. ,   The National Research University "Belgorod State University"/"BelSU", 85, Pobedy St., Belgorod 308015, Russia, Rejab Nejib ,   Sahloul University Hospital, CHU Sahloul, 4054 Sousse, Tunisia, Khalifa Riadh ,   Research Unit (UR17JS01) Sport Performance, Health & Society, Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar-Saïd, 20, Rue des Travailleurs, Manouba 2011, Tunisia, Chortane Sabri G. ,   Faculty of Medicine Ibn El Jazzar of Sousse, Rue Mohamed Karoui, Sousse 4002, Tunisia
Published: November 2020

Change of direction is often considered as one of the main determinants of successful performance in many field sports. It is routinely measured using field‐based tests. Thus, coaches have to use valid and reliable tests to assess the change of direction ability for their athletes. However, controversy regarding test selection still exists based upon the specificity of the tests. The purpose of this study was to analyze the validity and reliability of a specific test of change of direction in padel athletes. Methods: Twenty three male Padel players (mean±SD: 31.6 ans±7.96 year; 81.1 kg±9.95 kg; 181.1 cm±5.26 cm) volunteered for this study. They completed the change of direction modified T-tests and a Padel change of direction specific test on separate days. Material and methods. The study was performed in two stages. The first stage of our study investigated the reliability of the Padel change of direction specific test. After familiarization, the athletes performed the Padel change of direction specific test on two occasions, seven days apart and at the same time of day. Relative reliability of the Padel change of direction specific test performance was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC3,1), while absolute reliability was expressed in terms of the standard error of measurement. The sensitivity of Padel change of direction specific test was revealed by comparing standard error of measurement to the value of the smallest worthwhile change. In the second stage of our study Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient was used to determine the convergent construct validity between Padel change of direction specific test and the modified T-test. Results and discussion. There were no significant systematic bias between Padel change of direction specific test (7.89±0.47 second) and retest (7.91±0.49 second) performance in the first phase. The Padel change of direction specific test showed good relative (ICC = 0.96) and absolute (SEM % = 1.35%) reliability of the Padel change of direction specific test. The Padel change of direction specific test capacity to detect change was rated as “good”. Its standard error of measurement (0.11) was smaller than its smallest worthwhile change (0.26). The results of the second stage of our study, revealed that the Padel change of direction specific test was significantly associated with the the modified T-test (r= 0.77; R² = 60.2%; p < 0.001). Conclusion. Taking into account the Padel change of direction specific test high relative and absolute reliability and the appropriate level of usefulness, Padel change of direction specific test can be considered as a standard measure and a suitable protocol for quantifying change of direction in Padel players. This information may be considered to be important for trainers aiming to assess change of direction in Padel players