Reliability and validity of field-based tests for assessing physical fitness in gymnasts

Abstract

Objective

This systematic review aimed at analysing the reliability and validity of field-based tests for assessing physical fitness in gymnasts.

Method

Three electronic databases (PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Scopus) were searched up to March 2022, in order to identify studies that assessed the psychometric properties of field-based physical fitness test among gymnastics.

Results

A total of 16 studies on several gymnastics modalities (artistics n = 11; rhythmic n = 3, artistics and rhythmic n = 1; aerobic n =  1), were analyzed. All studies reported on reliability measured through test-retest design. Validity was reported in only four studies. Regarding specific tests, the split test (ICC = 0.998), and the handstand (ICC= 1) showed the highest test-retest reliability. The greater validity values were achieved by the split test (r² = 0.52), hanging pikes test (r² = 0.86), and handstand test (r² = 0.65).

Conclusion

A great variety of both specific and non-specific physical fitness tests have been analyzed in the field of gymnastics. The side split test, the handstand test, the vertical jump test, the 20-m run test, the agility test, and the aerobic gymnast anaerobic test could be useful tools to assess flexibility, strength, balance, muscular power, speed, agility, and cardiorespiratory fitness in gymnasts. Further investigations analyzing absolute reliability and criterion validity are needed.