1
Bartın University, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Bartın, Turkiye
Abstract
This study was conducted in response to the growing scientific interest in understanding agility not only as a physical but also as a cognitive performance component. The aim of the research was to examine the relationship between the difference in change of direction speed (CODS) and agility—represented by decision-making time (DMT)—and cognitive performance indicators such as reaction time and error rate in athletes. The study was carried out with 29 male athletes aged 18–24 years. Participants’ CODS and agility performances were measured using the T-Test and Reactive T-Test, while cognitive performance was assessed through the computer-based Flanker Test. Data were analyzed using the Jamovi 2.5 software package; relationships between variables were tested with Pearson and Spearman correlations, and predictive effects were evaluated through multiple linear regression analysis. The results revealed no significant relationship between DMT and cognitive performance indicators; however, a negative correlation was found between reaction time and error rate. These findings indicate that agility performance cannot be reduced solely to processing speed, and that perceptual-cognitive processes and attentional control play a decisive role. The study emphasizes that agility training programs should be enriched with reactive exercises incorporating cognitive load to better simulate real performance contexts.
Keywords
cognitive performance,agility,decision-making time,reactive test,change of direction speed
How to Cite
Eyuboglu, E. (2025). An examination of the difference between change-of-direction speed and agility in relation to cognitive performance. Journal of ROL Sport Sciences, 6(4), 811–825. https://doi.org/10.70736/jrolss.2141
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