Reliability, responsiveness, & construct validity of the V-cut test in football players

The present study aimed to assess the reliability, responsiveness, and age-related and competitive level differences of a 25-m change of direction (COD) maneuver (V-cut test) in football players. Two-hundred and eighty-nine male football players performed the V-cut test. Thirty-four players underwent the test on two occasions, separated by 5-7 days, to assess test-retest reliability. Eighty-six young players performed the V-cut test three times, separated by 12 weeks, to analyze responsiveness. Finally, 89 young players of different ages (U-15 to U-20) and 80 adult players of different competitive levels performed the V-cut test several times throughout the season to examine between-group differences. Reliability scores showed a high intraclass correlation coefficient ((ICC)=0.94) and a low coefficient of variation ((CV)=0.8%). The responsiveness was dependent on the maturity status, showing a positive response in those players who were pre- (short-term p < 0.05) or post-PHV (short- and long-term p < 0.05), though PHV did not exceed minimal detectable change. Age-related (Effect size [ES]:0.93-5.68) and competitive-level differences (ES: 0.57-1.96) analysis reported better V-cut test performance as age and competitive-level increased in football players. The V-cut test is reliable for assessing COD ability and can be used to monitor COD ability depending on maturity, allowing it to differentiate between players of different ages and levels.