Abstract

This study investigated whether agility performance in elite female basketball players could be predicted from countermovement jump (CMJ) force–plate metrics, eccentric hamstring strength, and anthropometric characteristics. Forty-five athletes competing in Iceland’s top division completed assessments of CMJ kinetics using dual force platforms, eccentric knee-flexor strength via the Nordic Hamstring Exercise, and reactive agility performance through the Y-Agility Test. A multiple linear regression model was applied to assess the predictive value of CMJ-derived variables and eccentric hamstring force on total test time. The model demonstrated a high coefficient of determination (R² = 0.959), indicating that the predictors collectively explained 96% of the variance in agility times. However, none of the individual predictors reached statistical significance (p > 0.20), suggesting no meaningful relationships between CMJ or Nordic metrics and agility performance. These results emphasize that reactive agility is a distinct physical quality, influenced by multifactorial determinants such as neuromuscular coordination, horizontal braking efficiency, and perceptual–cognitive factors not captured by traditional CMJ or isolated strength assessments. Practically, coaches should avoid presuming direct transfer between improvements in vertical jump or eccentric hamstring capacity and agility performance. Instead, training programs should incorporate agility-specific drills that integrate reactive decision-making and sport-relevant movement patterns. Future research should include larger samples and multidimensional models to better understand agility determinants in female populations.

Keywords: neuromuscular performance, injury prevention, jumping assessment, lower limb strength, sport-specific conditioning