Lateral change of direction test

The objective of this test is to monitor the development of the athlete’s speed with directional change.

Required resources

To undertake this test you will require:

• Flat surface – track
• 3 cones
• Stop watch
• Assistant.

How to conduct the test

• The 3 cones are set 5 metres apart on a straight line.
• The athlete starts at the middle cone.
• The assistant gives the signal to start and points in a specific direction, right or left.
• The athlete moves to and touches the first cone, returns past the middle cone(start) to the far cone and touches that one and then returns to the middle cone, touching that one.
• The assistant starts the stop watch on giving the “Go” command and stops the watch when the athlete touches the middle cone.
• The better of two trails in each starting direction, right and left, are recorded and the best score in each direction is used for scoring.

Analysis

Analysis of the result is by comparing it with the results of previous tests. It is expected that, with appropriate training between each test, the analysis would indicate an improvement.

Normative data for the lateral change of direction test

The following data has been obtained from the results of tests conducted with world class athletes.

% Rank	Females	Males	% Rank	Females	Males
91-100	3.22 – 3.37s	2.90 - 3.05s	41-50	4.02 – 4.17s	3.70 – 3.85s
81-90	3.38 – 3.53s	3.06 – 3.21s	31-40	4.18 – 4.33s	3.86 – 4.01s
71-80	3.54 - 3.69s	3.22 – 3.37s	21-30	4.34 – 4.49s	4.02 – 4.17s
61-70	3.70 – 3.85s	3.38 – 3.53s	11-20	4.50 – 4.65s	4.18 – 4.33s
51-60	3.86 – 4.01s	3.54 – 3.69s	1-10	4.66 – 4.81s	4.34 – 4.49s

Target group

This test is suitable for active athletes but not for individuals where the test could be contraindicated.

Reliability

Reliability would depend upon how strict the test is conducted and the individual’s level of motivation to perform the test.

Validity

There are published tables to relate results to a potential level of fitness and the correlation is high.