Concurrent Validity and Reliability of an On-Floor 12 m Shuttle Run Test for Young Gymnasts

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Pediatric Sports Medicine

Background:

• Endurance capacity is vital for gymnasts' training, recovery, and long-term athletic progression.
• The Shuttle Run Test is a recognized field method for estimating maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) in young individuals.
• Artistic gymnastics environments present indoor space limitations, necessitating adapted testing protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the validity and reliability of an adapted 12 m Shuttle Run Test (12SRT) for assessing aerobic capacity in gymnasts.
• To determine if the 12SRT is a suitable field test for indoor gymnastics settings.
• To establish the test-retest reliability of the 12SRT for measuring V̇O2max in young gymnasts.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-nine young gymnasts (12.3 ± 1.6 years) from artistic, trampoline, and rhythmic disciplines participated.
• Participants underwent a laboratory treadmill test and two on-floor 12SRT sessions.
• Oxygen uptake was measured during all tests until volitional exhaustion.

Main Results:

• The 12SRT showed good validity for relative maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max/kg) compared to treadmill testing (ICC2,1:0.82).
• Moderate limits of agreement were observed between the 12SRT and treadmill V̇O2max/kg (-10.7 to 9.2 ml*kg^-1*min^-1).
• The test-retest reliability of the 12SRT for V̇O2max/kg was good (ICC2,1:0.79).

Conclusions:

• The on-floor 12SRT is a valid and reliable tool for assessing aerobic capacity in gymnasts.
• This adapted test facilitates regular endurance assessments within gymnastics facilities.
• The 12SRT can aid in classifying aerobic capacity requirements for gymnasts.