Purpose: To examine the reliability and validity of a newly developed anaerobic and repeated sprint (RST0 performance capability.
Methods: A total of 35 untrained adolescent schoolchildren (age range 16-18 years) performed four tests: The newly developed 4 x 30 m RST, the Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) and 200 m and 50 m sprint runs. The reliability of the test was assessed by comparing the test and retest performances of the test. The validity of the 4x30m RST was evaluated by computing the relationships among the various indices of the four studied anaerobic tests, and by comparing the effect of a well-defined anaerobic training program on the performance of the four anaerobic tests.
Results: Strong and highly significant relationships were found between the mean (MP) and peak (PP) values of the 4x30 m RST (r = 0.88; p < 0.001), and between the MP of the RST and the two short sprints (50m and 200m) (r = 0.81 and 0.94, respectively; p < 0.011. Somewhat weaker, but still significant relationships were observed between the 4x30 RST and the WAnT indices (r's range = 0.56-0.64; p < 0.05). Such relationships suggest that the energetics of all four tests are closely related. Compared with baseline, the training group demonstrated similar and significant improvement in all four anaerobic tests. No such changes were detected for the control group.
Conclusions: The anaerobic system plays a dominant role in the performance of the new 4x30m RST. Furthermore, the new field test is highly reliable and was found to be valid for quantifying gross anaerobic and repeated sprints performance. Therefore, it can be used in pursuing athletes in a wide range of sports, as well as in some relevant occupations.