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

Objective: 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. Design: Methodological study. Setting: A health promotion research institute. subjects: 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. Main Outcome Measures: 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] × 100%) from day to day was also calculated. Results: 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. Conclusions: 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.