Health-related fitness test battery for adults: aspects of reliability.

Abstract

In two studies, the reliability of 3 balance, 2 flexibility, and 4 muscular strength tests proposed as test items were investigated in a health-related fitness (HRF) test battery for adults. Methodological study. A health promotion research institute. In study A, volunteers (n=42) from two worksites participated. In study B, a population sample (n=510) of 37-to 57-year-old men and women was selected. Intraclass correlation coefficient of repeated measures was used to assess inter-rater reliability. The degree of measurement error was expressed as the standard error of measurement. The mean difference with 95% confidence intervals between the testing days or test trials was used to assess test-retest or trial-to-trial reproducibility. The coefficient of variation(CV=[SD/mean] x 100%) from day to day was also calculated. The following tests appeared to provide acceptable reliability as methods for field assessment of HRF: standing on one leg with eyes open for balance, side-bending of the trunk for spinal flexibility, modified push-ups for upper body muscular function, and jump and reach and one leg squat for leg muscular function. This reliability assessment provided useful information on the characteristics of potential test items in a HRF test battery for adults and on the limitations of its practical use. Testers must be properly trained to ensure reliable assessment of HRF of adults.