Reliability of field- and laboratory-based assessments of health-related fitness in preschool-aged children

Abstract

Objectives: Reliable measurements of health-related fitness-cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular endurance, muscular strength, body composition, and flexibility-are imperative for understanding and tracking health-related fitness from the preschool age. This study aimed to examine the test-retest reliability of field-based (i.e., sit and reach [standard and back-saver], standing long jump, grip strength); and laboratory-based (i.e., Bruce Protocol Treadmill Test, Wingate Anaerobic Test) assessments of health-related fitness in preschool aged children (4-5 years).

Methods: Forty-two typically developing children participated in both assessment time points separated by 2-3 weeks. All fitness assessments were administered individually and repeated in the same order by the same assessor. Heteroscedasticity was examined for each parameter. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to assess test-retest reliability.

Results: All parameters were homoscedastic. Test-retest reliability for the field-based tests and Bruce Protocol Treadmill Test parameters were moderate to good. Test-retest reliability for the Wingate Test parameters were good to excellent for maximum pedal rate, peak power, and peak power/kg; mean power and fatigue measured at 10 and 30 s demonstrated moderate to excellent test-retest reliability.

Conclusion: The standard sit and reach, grip strength, and short-term muscle power from the Wingate test are reliable assessments of health-related fitness in preschool-aged children.