Y shaped reactive agility test

The Y Shaped Reactive Agility Test is a drill frequently used in the world of sports and training and very simple to perform. With this test, acceleration, speed and the subject’s ability to make changes of position and direction can be measured.

• Required Material: A flat, non-slip surface, 10 photocells 1.2 meters high or, if not available, cones to delimit the course, a tape measure and a stopwatch. It will also be necessary to have a synchronization light system to indicate the change of direction or, failing that, an assistant technician to signal it. A goniometer to measure the 45° angle from gate C to the target gates (D1 and D2) will be needed as well.

• Procedure: Five 1.5 meters width gates (A-B-C-D1-D2) must be placed, as shown in the illustration. The subject gets ready for the test behind the starting line (gate A), in a sprint start position and at the evaluator’s signal he/she will begin the course trying to complete it in the shortest possible time. After the first 5 meters, having crossed gates A, B and C, the subject must head towards D1 or D2 as indicated by the light system (E) or by the assistant technician. The test finishes when the subject crosses the finish line (gate D1 or D2) with any part of his/her body. There the stopwatch will be stopped and the elapsed time will be registered. Any attempt in which the participant does not correctly cross any of the gates of the circuit will be considered null and void and will not be counted.

• Assessment: It is measured in seconds (sec) and the subject has a maximum of 3 attempts. In Fisicalcoach, the lowest time, as well as the mean and the median can be recorded.

• Remarks: Since in exercises that require changes of direction performance depends on the angle and speed during execution, different tests should be considered and the most specific and appropriate one should be chosen in each case. Fisicalcoach has a large set of tests available to perform.