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Abstract-Performance-based outcomes such as the T-Test, Edgren Side Step Test (ESST), and Illinois Agility Test (IAT) have been used to assess agility in athletes and nonathletes; however, the reliability and validity of these tests have not been established. The purpose of this study was to establish the reliability and convergent construct validity of the ESST, T-Test, and IAT in young, nondisabled, physically active male servicemembers (SMs). Ninety-seven male Active Duty U.S. Army SMs completed the study. Statistically significant differences were not found between the ESST (p = 0.10), T-Test (p = 0.09), and IAT (p = 0.23) when administered twice within a 24 to 48 h period. These tests were found to have excellent interrater reliability and moderate to good test-retest reliability. A good positive relationship exists between the IAT and T-Test (r = 0.76, p < 0.001) and a moderate negative relationship exists between the ESST and both the T-Test (r = -0.69, p < 0.001) and IAT (r = -0.65, p < 0.001). The results suggest that these tests are valid measures of agility that uniquely assess movement in different planes, thus providing a comprehensive assessment of high-level mobility.
Key words: agility, Edgren Side Step Test, Illinois Agility Test, military, minimal detectable change, reliability, servicemembers, standard error of measurement, T-Test, validity.
Abbreviations: AD = Active Duty, BAMC = Brooke Army Medical Center, CI = confidence interval, ESST = Edgren Side Step Test, HUC = Human Use Committee, IAT = Illinois Agility Test, ICC = interclass correlation coefficient, IRB = Institutional Review Board, MDC = minimal detectable change, SD = standard deviation, SEM = standard error of measurement, SM = servicemember, VA = Department of Veterans Affairs, WRAMC = Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
(ProQuest: ... denotes formulae omitted.)
INTRODUCTION
Agility has been defined as the ability to maintain a controlled body position and rapidly change direction without a loss of balance, body control, or speed [1-2]. The components of agility have been defined as balance, coordination, power, and speed [3]. It is essential for elite, recreational, and "tactical" athletes who require the ability to rapidly change directions in all planes for sport or work. Benefits from improved agility include increased body control during fast movements, increased intramuscular coordination, and decreased risk of...