Criterion-related validity of field-based fitness tests in youth: a systematic review

Abstract

The objective of this systematic review was to comprehensively study the criterion-related validity of the existing field-based fitness tests used in children and adolescents. The studies were scored according to the number of subjects, description of the study population and statistical analysis. Each study was classified as high, low and very low quality. Three levels of evidence were constructed: strong evidence, when consistent findings were observed in three or more high quality studies; moderate evidence, when consistent findings were observed in two high quality studies; and limited evidence when consistency of findings and/or the number of studies did not achieve the criteria for moderate. The results of 73 studies (50 of high quality) addressing the criterion-related validity of field-based fitness tests in children and adolescents indicate the following: that there is strong evidence indicating that the 20 m shuttle run test is a valid test to estimate cardiorespiratory fitness, that the hand-grip strength test is a valid measure of musculoskeletal fitness, that skin fold thickness and body mass index are good estimates of body composition, and that waist circumference is a valid measure to estimate central body fat. Moderate evidence was found that the 1-mile run/walk test is a valid test to estimate cardiorespiratory fitness. A large number of other field-based fitness tests presented limited evidence, mainly due to a limited number of studies (one for each test). The results of the present systematic review should be interpreted with caution due to the substantial lack of consistency in reporting and designing the existing validity studies.

Correlates of changes in BMI of children from the Azores islands

“…There is also the case of using the 20 m shuttle run as an alternative which has been proven quite valid and reliable. 47 However, it is important to test for the validity of different regression equations to predict VO 2 max in children as well as the cross-validation of such equations in different samples of the same population. We are also aware that it would be appropriate to use direct laboratory measures.…”

Breakfast consumption and CVD risk factors in European adolescents: the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) Study

“…All participants received comprehensive instructions about the test. This test has shown to be valid (28) , reliable (29) and feasible for use in populationbased studies and in the school setting (30) .…”

Efeitos de um programa de exercícios no desempenho de crianças nos testes de flexibilidade e impulsão vertical

“…Além disso, há relação entre baixos parâmetros de elasticidade dos músculos isquiotibiais e lombares com dores lombares (JONES et al, 2005) e na cervical (MIKKELSSON et al, 2006). Para avaliação dos níveis de flexibilidade, o teste de "sentar-e-alcançar" vem sendo bastante empregado, pois é um indicador da flexibilidade da coluna lombar (CHILLÓN et al, 2010) e dos músculos isquiotibiais (CASTRO-PIÑERO et al, 2009). Estudos demonstraram que em amostras representativas de crianças brasileiras, entre 42% e 49% dos meninos, e de 24% a 55% das meninas, não atendem os critérios de saúde estabelecidos para o teste de "sentar-e-alcançar" (DÓREA et al, 2008;RONQUE et al, 2007).…”