TY - JOUR
T1 - Validity of a new sport-specific endurance test in artistic gymnastics
AU - Mkaouer, Bessem
AU - Amara, Samiha
AU - Bouguezzi, Raja
AU - Ben Abderrahmen, Abderraouf
AU - Chaabene, Helmi
N1 - Funding Information:
We would like to thank all the gymnasts as well as the coaches for their valuable help and invaluable common sense while dealing with this study. This study is supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and Open Access Publishing Fund of University of Potsdam, Germany.
Publisher Copyright:
2023 Mkaouer, Amara, Bouguezzi, Ben Abderrahmen and Chaabene.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Introduction: General and particularly sport-specific testing is an integral aspect of performance optimization in artistic gymnastics. In artistic gymnastics, however, only non-specific field tests have been used to assess endurance performance (e.g., Multistage Shuttle Run Test; Cooper's Test). Methods: This study aimed to examine the validity of a new sport-specific endurance test in artistic gymnastics. Fourteen elite-level gymnasts (i.e., eight males and six females) participated in this study. The newly developed artistic gymnastics-specific endurance test (AGSET) was conducted on two different occasions seven days apart to determine its reliability. To assess the concurrent validity of AGSET, participants performed the multistage shuttle run test (MSRT). Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were directly assessed using a portable gas analyzer system during both protocols. Additionally, the total time maintained (TTM) during the AGSET, maximum heart rate (HRmax), maximal aerobic speed (MAS), and blood lactate concentration (BLa) during the two protocols were collected. Results: The main findings indicated that all variables derived from the AGSET (i.e., VO2max, MAS, HRmax, BLa, and RER) displayed very good relative (all intraclass correlation coefficients [ICC] > 0.90) and absolute (all typical errors of measurement [TEM] < 5%) reliability. Further, results showed that the ability of the AGSET to detect small changes in VO2max, MAS, BLa, and RER was good (smallest worthwhile change [SWC0.2] > TEM), except HRmax (SWC0.2 < TEM). Additionally, results showed a nearly perfect association between the VO2max values derived from the AGSET and MSRT (r = 0.985; coefficient of determination [R²] = 97%) with no statistically significant differences (p>0.05). The mean (bias) ± 95% limits of agreement between the two protocols were 0.28 ± 0.55 mlminkg-1. Discussion: AGSET seems to present very good reliability and concurrent validity for assessing endurance performance in elite artistic gymnastics. In addition, the newly developed protocol presents a good ability to detect small changes in performance.
AB - Introduction: General and particularly sport-specific testing is an integral aspect of performance optimization in artistic gymnastics. In artistic gymnastics, however, only non-specific field tests have been used to assess endurance performance (e.g., Multistage Shuttle Run Test; Cooper's Test). Methods: This study aimed to examine the validity of a new sport-specific endurance test in artistic gymnastics. Fourteen elite-level gymnasts (i.e., eight males and six females) participated in this study. The newly developed artistic gymnastics-specific endurance test (AGSET) was conducted on two different occasions seven days apart to determine its reliability. To assess the concurrent validity of AGSET, participants performed the multistage shuttle run test (MSRT). Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were directly assessed using a portable gas analyzer system during both protocols. Additionally, the total time maintained (TTM) during the AGSET, maximum heart rate (HRmax), maximal aerobic speed (MAS), and blood lactate concentration (BLa) during the two protocols were collected. Results: The main findings indicated that all variables derived from the AGSET (i.e., VO2max, MAS, HRmax, BLa, and RER) displayed very good relative (all intraclass correlation coefficients [ICC] > 0.90) and absolute (all typical errors of measurement [TEM] < 5%) reliability. Further, results showed that the ability of the AGSET to detect small changes in VO2max, MAS, BLa, and RER was good (smallest worthwhile change [SWC0.2] > TEM), except HRmax (SWC0.2 < TEM). Additionally, results showed a nearly perfect association between the VO2max values derived from the AGSET and MSRT (r = 0.985; coefficient of determination [R²] = 97%) with no statistically significant differences (p>0.05). The mean (bias) ± 95% limits of agreement between the two protocols were 0.28 ± 0.55 mlminkg-1. Discussion: AGSET seems to present very good reliability and concurrent validity for assessing endurance performance in elite artistic gymnastics. In addition, the newly developed protocol presents a good ability to detect small changes in performance.
KW - aerobic endurance
KW - artistic gymnastics
KW - assessment
KW - elite athletes
KW - field test
KW - physical fitness
KW - reliability
KW - validity
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85158151802&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85158151802&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fspor.2023.1159807
DO - 10.3389/fspor.2023.1159807
M3 - Article
C2 - 37168521
AN - SCOPUS:85158151802
SN - 2624-9367
VL - 5
JO - Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
JF - Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
M1 - 1159807
ER -