Validity, reliability, and feasibility of the digital motor performance test (DigiMot)

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Exercise Science
• Digital Health Technologies
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Assessing physical fitness in youth necessitates validated, reliable, and practical testing methods.
• The digital motor performance test (DigiMot) was developed to enable remote fitness assessments via videoconference.
• This study aimed to rigorously evaluate the DigiMot's validity, reliability, and feasibility in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the concurrent validity of the DigiMot against face-to-face assessments.
• To assess the test-retest and interrater reliability of the DigiMot for remote administration.
• To evaluate the overall feasibility of using the DigiMot for large-scale remote fitness monitoring in children and adolescents.

Main Methods:

• 1,751 participants aged 5-17 years completed DigiMot tasks remotely, assessing coordination, muscular endurance, and flexibility.
• Validity was compared between remote and in-person tests (N=60).
• Reliability was assessed via test-retest (N=96) and interrater analyses (N=381), with feasibility examined across all remote assessments (N=1,751).

Main Results:

• Concurrent validity was good to excellent across all assessed fitness components (ICC range: .718–.850).
• Test-retest reliability was good to excellent (ICC range: .781–.940), and interrater reliability was substantial to excellent (ICC range: .805–.972).
• The DigiMot demonstrated high feasibility, with completion rates over 98% and minimal technical issues.

Conclusions:

• The DigiMot test is a valid, reliable, and feasible tool for remote physical fitness assessment in children and adolescents.
• This digital approach effectively addresses the need for accessible and accurate pediatric fitness monitoring.
• DigiMot represents a significant advancement in leveraging technology for youth health and fitness surveillance.