Cb. Wragg et al., Evaluation of the reliability and validity of a soccer-specific field testof repeated sprint ability, EUR J A PHY, 83(1), 2000, pp. 77-83
The reliability and validity of a soccer-specific field test of repented sp
rint ability was assessed. Seven male games players performed the repeated
sprint test on six separate occasions. The temporal pattern of the mean spr
int time was analysed by using coefficient of variation with confidence int
ervals (CI). and repeated measures ANOVA. A within subject mean coefficient
of variation of 1.8% (95% CI, 1.5-2.4) was found for performance in the re
peated sprint test across all six trials. The mean coefficient of variation
across trials 2-4 was found to be 1.9% (95% CI, 1.3-3.1), compared to tria
ls 4-6, where it was 1.4% (95% CI, 1.0-2.3). The ANOVA showed that a signif
icant difference was present between the trials (F-6,F-30 9.8, P < 0.001).
A Tukey post-hoc test showed that significant differences were present betw
een trial 1 and trials 3-6, and trial 2 and trial 5. The learning effect wa
s complete by trial 3. Performance in the repeated sprint test was compared
to total running time averaged from two repeats of the maximal anaerobic r
unning test laboratory protocol. Mean sprint time in the repeated sprint te
st and total running time in the laboratory protocol had a correlation coef
ficient of r = -0.298 (P = 0.516, n = 7), suggesting that the energetics of
the two tests are not closely related. In conclusion, this soccer-specific
field test demonstrated high reliability.