Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2004, 18(4), 821–827
q 2004 National Strength & Conditioning Association
THE INTERVAL SHUTTLE RUN TEST FOR
INTERMITTENT SPORT PLAYERS: EVALUATION
OF RELIABILITY
KOEN A.P.M. LEMMINK,1 CHRIS VISSCHER,1 MICHAEL I. LAMBERT,2
AND
ROBERT P. LAMBERTS1
Institute of Human Movement Science, University of Groningen, The Netherlands; 2MRC/UCT Research Unit for
Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of
Cape Town, The Sport Science Institute of South Africa, Newlands, South Africa.
1
ABSTRACT. Lemmink, K.A.P.M., C. Visscher, M.I. Lambert, and
R.P. Lamberts. The interval shuttle run test for intermittent
sport players: evaluation of reliability. J. Strength Cond. Res.
18(4):000–000. 2004.—The reliability of the interval shuttle run
test (ISRT) as a submaximal and maximal field test to measure
intermittent endurance capacity was examined. During the
ISRT, participants alternately run for 30 seconds and walk for
15 seconds. The running speed is increased from 10 km·h21 every
90 seconds until exhaustion. Within a 2-week period, 17 intermittent sport players (i.e., 10 men and 7 women) performed the
ISRT twice in a sports hall under well-standardized conditions.
Heart rates per speed and total number of runs were assessed
as submaximal and maximal performance measures. With the
exception of the heart rates at 10.0 km·h21 for men and 10.0,
12.0, and 13.5 km·h21 for women, zero lay within the 95% confidence interval of the mean differences, indicating that no bias
existed between the outcome measures at the 2 test sessions
(absolute reliability). The results illustrate that it is important
to control for heart rate before the start of the ISRT. Relative
reliability was high (intraclass correlation coefficient $ 0.86).
We conclude that the reliability of the ISRT as a submaximal
and maximal field test for intermittent sport players is supported by the results.
KEY WORDS. intermittent sport physiology, field test, interval
endurance capacity
INTRODUCTION
ports such as soccer, handball, field hockey,
basketball, rugby, and tennis can be described
as intermittent sports because of their demands of bouts of high-intensity play interspersed with periods of submaximal effort
over a long period, using both aerobic and anaerobic energy systems (3, 9, 21). To perform at a high level, the
players need a well-developed capacity to perform highintensity activities such as running and sprinting, as well
as the capacity to recover properly during low-intensity
activities such as walking and jogging over a prolonged
period.
To measure intermittent endurance capacity, we developed the interval shuttle run test (ISRT) a few years
ago (15–17). The ISRT is based on the maximal multistage 20-m shuttle run test (MMSRT) (13, 14). The protocol of the MMSRT was adapted in 3 ways. The ISRT
starts with a higher running speed (10 km·h21 vs. 8.5
km·h21 in MMSRT). Next, running speed during the ISRT
increases more rapidly up to 13 km·h21 (1 km·h21 vs. 0.5
km·h21). Both adjustments were made to the MMSRT so
participants could reach higher running speeds, since
these are more relevant to sports performance of inter-
S
mittent sport players. These adjustments also reduce the
total time of the test. Finally, the ISRT’s exercise mode
is not continuous as in the MMSRT but intermittent, in
line with the characteristics of intermittent sports. Instead of 60 seconds of running per stage in the MMSRT,
30 seconds of running is alternated with 15 seconds of
walking twice per stage. The ISRT can help coaches and
trainers identify young athletic talent, spot specific weaknesses, provide information for individualized training
programs, and determine changes in physical characteristics as a result of a training cycle. When using the ISRT
as a submaximal test, heart rate at a certain submaximal
running speed is used as the outcome variable. When applying the ISRT as a maximal test, the total number of
runs is used as the outcome measure.
Previous studies have shown that the ISRT is practical for use on a regular basis, because the test can be
administered to a group of players in approximately 20
minutes by using a prerecorded compact disc (15). Since
the introduction of the ISRT compact disc and information booklet in 2000, more than 400 intermittent sport
coaches (mainly soccer) in the Netherlands and Belgium
have begun using the test. Correlations between the ISRT
and direct V̇O2max measurements on a treadmill in soccer
players (r 5 0.77) illustrate that the energy during the
ISRT is supplied mainly by the aerobic energy system
(17). As a result of the interval character, however, anaerobic energy production also contributes to total energy
requirement. This was indicated by the significant correlations between the ISRT and the mean power output
during a 30-second all-out cycle ergometer sprint in field
hockey players (r 5 0.38, unpublished data). Finally, the
ISRT shows discriminative power for playing level of soccer (16).
In a previous study, the ISRT proved to be reliable,
with a test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)
of 0.90 (15). Reliability data, however, were collected outdoors with 37 amateur-level soccer players and only for
the total number of runs. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the reliability of the ISRT indoors as a
submaximal and maximal test in intermittent sport players.
METHODS
Experimental Approach to the Problem
To examine test-retest reliability, all subjects completed
the ISRT twice within 2 weeks on the same day of the
week and time of day. Subjects were required to keep
821
822
LEMMINK, VISSCHER, LAMBERT
FIGURE 1.
ET AL.
Course for the interval shuttle run test (● 5 20-m line pylons; o 5 3-m line pylons).
their training habits constant in the week before the first
test session and during the weeks between test sessions.
They were also required to keep regular sleeping habits
and control alcohol intake during the study period, avoiding caffeine and heavy meals 3 hours before the test sessions. During the day preceding each test session, the
subjects refrained from high-intensity exercise. Subjects
wore the same shoes during the test sessions.
The tests were conducted on a rubberized floor in a
sports hall with an ambient temperature and relative humidity that were nearly equal during both test sessions
(test session 1: 16.88C and 46.0%, test session 2: 16.58C
and 47.4%). Before testing, subjects were medically
screened by way of a questionnaire, after which their
height, body mass, and body fat were measured. Body fat
was predicted by means of a leg-to-leg bioelectrical impedance analysis (Tanita, Valhalla BIA, San Diego, CA).
This method proved to be reliable for measuring body fat
percentage, and results correlated highly with body fat
percentages as measured with underwater weighing and
dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (18).
Before the warm-up, the scale for rating of perceived
exertion (RPE) was explained to the subjects. We followed
the instructions for the RPE scale as prescribed by Borg
(8). Next, all subjects performed a standardized and controlled warm-up. The warm-up was performed groupwise
with a maximum of 6 subjects. During the warm-up, subjects were required to run between 2 lines, 20 m apart,
on audio signals at 7.2 km·h21 for two 30-second periods
alternated with a 15-second rest, followed by stretching
of the quadriceps and hamstrings. Subjects then ran at
10.0 km·h21 for two 30-second periods alternated with a
15-second rest, followed by stretching of the triceps surae
and grind.
Subjects
Ten men and 7 women participating in intermittent
sports (mean 6 SD age, 21.5 6 1.7 years; mean 6 SD
height, 180 6 10.3 cm; mean 6 SD body mass, 71.7 6
10.6 kg; mean 6 SD body fat, 12.1 6 1.6% for men and
27.8 6 6.4% for women) volunteered to participate in the
study. The subjects were all students and practiced their
sport (soccer, field hockey, handball, basketball, volleyball, or tennis) at the university sports center at least
twice a week 90 minutes on average during the last year.
Before giving their written informed consent, they were
informed about the procedures of the study, which were
in accordance with the ethical standards of the Medical
Faculty of the University of Groningen.
The ISRT
The ISRT started directly after the warm-up. Subjects
were required to run back and forth on a 20-m course
with pylons set 3 m before the turning lines (Figure 1).
The frequency of the sound signals on a prerecorded compact disc increased in such a way that running speed was
increased by 1 km·h21 every 90 seconds from a starting
speed of 10 km·h21 and by 0.5 km·h21 every 90 seconds
starting from 13 km·h21. Each 90-second period was divided into two 45-second periods in which subjects ran for
30 seconds and walked for 15 seconds. Running and walking periods were announced on the prerecorded compact
disc. During the walking periods, subjects just had to
walk back and forth to the 8-m line. Subjects were instructed to complete as many runs as possible. The test
stopped when the subjects could not follow the pace (i.e.,
more than 3 m before the 20-m lines at 2 consecutive
audio signals) or felt unable to complete the run. The
number of fully completed 20-m runs was recorded as the
test score. The RPEs were recorded on a Borg scale directly after the test. For this reliability study, the auditory counting of the number of runs during the test was
removed from the compact disc. Subjects were only given
feedback on their performance after completing both
tests.
RELIABILITY
Physiological Measurements
Heart rate was monitored every 5 seconds before, during,
and after the test with a heart rate transmitter and receiver (Polar Accurex, Kempele, Finland). The mean
heart rate of the 30 seconds before the start of the test
was calculated as the start heart rate. The mean heart
rate of the second running period of 30 seconds per speed
was calculated as the heart rate per speed. The highest
heart rate for any 5-second interval was taken as the
maximal heart rate. Finally, the mean heart rate of the
first and second minute after the test was calculated as
the 1-minute and 2-minute recovery heart rate. Before
and after the test, blood samples were obtained from the
earlobe (Ames Minilet Lancets, Bayer, Mishawaka, IN)
and subsequently analyzed (YSI 2300 Stat lactate analyzer, Yellow Springs, OH).
Statistical Analyses
To determine reliability of the ISRT, the data of both men
and women were analyzed separately and together. Testretest reliability of the heart rates during the ISRT and
the total number of runs were determined. Mean difference between test sessions was set as a measure of absolute reliability. Zero lying in the 95% confidence interval (CI) of the mean difference can be seen as a criterion
for absolute reliability, showing reasonable agreement between different measurements of a test (1, 6, 20). Power
values to assume that no differences existed between
measurements were calculated (p 5 0.05, 2-sided). To determine relative reliability, we used a 1-way analysis of
variance to calculate ICCs of repeated interval scale measures (4, 5, 20). The 95% CIs were determined for all the
ICCs. As a general rule, an ICC over 0.90 is considered
to be high, between 0.80 and 0.90 is moderate, and below
0.80 is insufficient for physiological field tests (24). Baumgartner and Jackson (5) stated that ICCs of at least 0.80
are acceptable for physical measures. Significance was accepted at p , 0.05, and all results are reported as the
mean 6 SD.
RESULTS
Table 1 shows the mean 6 SD of the heart rate, number
of runs, blood lactate concentration, and RPE during test
sessions 1 and 2 of the ISRT and the 95% CI of the differences (d) for men, women, and both combined. Subjects’ mean maximal heart rate was 193.5 6 8.4
beats·min21. Mean heart rate recovered to 159.3 6 12.4
beats·min21 and 134.7 6 12.5 beats·min21 after the first
and the second minute the ISRT was ended. For the total
group, the performance range on the ISRT at the first test
session was between 48 and 118 runs (83.8 6 24.7 runs),
which resulted in maximal running speeds of 13.0–16.5
km·h21. Average blood lactate concentrations before and
after the ISRT were 1.2 6 0.3 mmol·l21 and 10.1 6 2.8
mmol·l21. Mean RPE at the end of the ISRT was 16.4 6
1.5.
In general, the values of the mean differences of heart
rates per running speed and the number of runs were
small when compared with the means at both test sessions. With the exception of the heart rates at 10.0 km·h21
for men and 10, 12, and 13.5 km·h21 for women, zero lay
within the 95% CI, which indicates reasonable agreement
between the 2 test sessions (Table 1 and Figure 2).
The ICC values for heart rate per running speed were
OF THE INTERVAL
SHUTTLE RUN TEST 823
determined to assess the ISRT’s relative reliability as a
submaximal test. The ICC values ranged from 0.86–0.97
for men and from 0.93–0.99 for women (Table 2). Relative
reliability of the ISRT for the number of runs proved to
be high (ICC 5 0.91 for men, 0.94 for women, and 0.98
for the total group) (Table 2 and Figure 3).
DISCUSSION
The ISRT was developed to measure in a simple way endurance capacity of intermittent sport players in field circumstances. The aim of this study was to determine the
reliability of the ISRT indoors as a submaximal test by
way of heart rates at submaximal running speed and as
a maximal test by way of the number of runs.
Environmental conditions influence field testing. This
study was designed in an attempt to quantify the variation in outcome measures of the ISRT under controlled
conditions, so ambient temperature, humidity, and wind
conditions were all documented. There were only minor
differences in environmental conditions during the test
sessions. Tests were conducted on the same rubberized
floor in a sports hall, with subjects wearing their normal
playing footwear. Although an earlier study indicated
that the ISRT was reliable as a maximal test in outdoor
circumstances (15), future research should examine the
reliability of the ISRT and its precision in detecting significant changes under different weather and field surface conditions, preferably over more than 2 test sessions.
Nevertheless, it is important to standardize test conditions as much as possible and determine weather and
field conditions if the ISRT is used over time.
The ISRT must be objective and reproducible over
time. Although several authors use other measures (such
as Pearson’s correlation, coefficient of repeatability, and
coefficient of variation), mean difference, 95% CI of the
mean differences, and ICC values have recently been reported as appropriate and clear in determining reliability
(20). In general, the values of the mean differences for
the heart rates per speed and the number of runs were
small when compared with the means at both test sessions, supporting absolute reliability of the ISRT as a submaximal and maximal performance test. As a general
rule, the variability of the heart rate (i.e., the magnitude
of the 95% CI) decreased substantially with increasing
running speed. There is a difference, however, between
men and women. For men, starting at 11 km·h21, zero lies
within the 95% CI of the mean difference of the heart
rate, supporting absolute reliability. For women, mean
differences for heart rate at 10, 12, and 13.5 km·h21 fall
outside the 95% CI, indicating a lack of agreement between test sessions. The power values to assume that
there are no significant differences between measurements (p 5 0.05, 2-sided) are, however, low to moderate.
The relatively low number of subjects in this study has
undoubtedly affected its statistical power. For example, a
sample size of 20 women would have resulted in a power
of 78% for the same differences in number of runs between the 2 measurements. Besides, the effect size of the
differences are mostly below 0.5, which implicates small
differences from a relevance aspect. The lower heart rates
at the start and during the submaximal running speeds
are consistent with the slightly higher number of runs at
the second test session. These results suggest the importance of standardizing the warm-up and control for heart
rate before starting the ISRT. The combination of lower
824
LEMMINK, VISSCHER, LAMBERT
ET AL.
TABLE 1. Mean 6 SD for the number of runs, heart rates, blood lactate concentrations, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE)
during test sessions 1 (t1) and 2 (t2) of the interval shuttle run test and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the differences (d).
t1
t2
Number of runs
101.4 6 14.5
Heart rate (beats·min21)
Start
10 km·h21
11 km·h21
12 km·h21
13 km·h21
13.5 km·h21
14 km·h21
14.5 km·h21
15 km·h21
15.5 km·h21
Maximum
After 1 min
After 2 min
Lactate start (mmol·L21)
Lactate end (mmol·L21)
RPE end (6–20)
98.8
145.5
152.5
161.1
171.2
175.9
181.5
184.4
184.3
189.4
192.0
155.4
136.1
1.2
10.4
17.1
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
20.3
10.9
10.2
9.5
8.5
8.8
8.4
8.6
7.5
7.3
7.9
14.7
14.2
0.3
2.5
1.5
58.9 6 8.6
Number of runs
d
MEN
98.7 6 10.5
93.6
136.9
148.7
158.8
169.3
175.3
180.6
183.6
183.3
189.4
192.2
152.4
134.4
1.2
10.0
16.4
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
22.7 6 7.2
25.2
28.6
23.8
22.3
21.9
20.6
20.9
20.8
21.0
0.0
0.2
23.0
21.6
0.0
20.5
20.7
11.9
9.9
9.6
10.7
10.3
10.5
10.2
10.0
9.5
9.4
6.8
12.7
14.9
0.4
2.0
1.6
WOMEN
61.7 6 9.1
95% CI
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
15.7
5.4
6.1
6.5
6.1
4.6
3.7
3.3
3.8
3.7
3.2
9.3
14.8
0.3
0.9
0.9
2.9 6 4.4
27.8 to 2.4
216.4
212.5
28.2
26.9
26.6
23.9
23.5
23.1
24.5
24.6
22.1
210.1
213.0
20.3
21.1
21.4
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
6.0
24.7
0.6
2.3
2.8
2.7
1.7
1.5
2.5
4.6
2.5
4.1
9.7
0.2
0.2
0.0
21.2 to 6.9
Power (%)
n
14
10
12
98
35
13
10
5
8
8
6
3
3
10
4
3
30
51
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
7
5
10
9
9
10
10
10
22
7
15
82
44
48
38
50
8
10
9
29
4
43
7
7
7
7
7
5
7
7
7
7
7
7
4
17
29
100
76
48
33
15
6
8
6
3
5
22
3
3
4
5
17
17
17
17
17
15
12
10
7
5
17
16
16
17
17
17
21
Heart rate (beats·min )
Start
10 km·h21
11 km·h21
12 km·h21
13 km·h21
13.5 km·h21
Maximum
After 1 min
After 2 min
Lactate start (mmol·L21)
Lactate end (mmol·L21)
RPE end (6–20)
Number of runs
Heart rate (beats·min21)
Start
10 km·h21
11 km·h21
12 km·h21
13 km·h21
13.5 km·h21
14 km·h21
14.5 km·h21
15 km·h21
15.5 km·h21
Maximum
After 1 min
After 2 min
Lactate start (mmol·L21)
Lactate end (mmol·L21)
RPE end (6–20)
105.6
164.7
174.1
182.6
188.6
193.0
195.7
164.1
132.9
1.1
9.8
15.4
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
20.0
10.3
7.2
8.3
8.7
6.8
9.3
6.9
10.8
0.3
3.4
0.8
83.8 6 24.7
101.6
152.7
161.4
169.9
178.5
181.6
183.8
184.4
184.3
189.4
193.5
159.3
134.7
1.2
10.1
16.4
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
19.9
14.0
14.1
14.0
12.2
11.5
10.0
8.6
7.5
7.3
8.4
12.4
12.5
0.3
2.8
1.5
100.7
159.3
171.1
178.7
186.4
190.8
194.7
161.9
135.9
1.2
10.1
16.1
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
24.9
25.3
23.0
23.9
22.4
22.2
21.0
22.3
3.0
0.2
0.3
0.7
14.8
7.2
7.1
9.1
8.7
8.0
9.4
6.5
10.6
0.2
2.7
0.9
TOTAL
83.5 6 21.1
96.5
145.3
157.9
167.0
176.4
180.5
183.3
183.6
183.3
189.4
193.2
156.6
135.1
1.2
10.0
16.3
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
13.2
14.2
14.2
14.0
12.8
12.1
12.0
10.0
9.5
9.4
7.8
11.3
12.8
0.3
2.2
1.4
heart rates at the start and at submaximal running
speeds and a higher number of runs was not illustrated
by the results for men.
If a maximal test is conducted in sport players, motivation to perform maximally is essential for a useful outcome. Criteria for subjects’ maximal heart rate (.95% of
the predicted maximal heart rate), postexercise blood lactate concentration (.8.0 mmol·l21), and end RPE (.18) of
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
9.3
3.7
3.3
3.9
2.6
1.6
2.9
5.7
9.0
0.3
2.0
0.8
20.4 6 6.6
25.1
27.4
23.5
22.9
22.1
21.1
20.5
20.8
21.0
0.0
20.3
22.7
0.4
0.0
20.1
20.1
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
13.1
5.0
5.0
5.5
5.1
3.9
3.5
3.3
3.8
3.7
3.1
7.7
12.4
0.3
1.4
1.1
213.5
29.2
26.0
27.5
24.9
24.2
23.7
27.6
25.4
20.1
21.5
0.0
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
3.7
21.4
0.0
20.2
0.0
20.2
1.7
3.0
11.4
0.4
2.2
1.4
23.8 to 3.0
211.8
210.0
26.1
25.8
24.8
23.3
22.7
23.1
24.5
24.6
21.9
26.8
26.3
20.1
20.9
20.7
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
1.7
4.7
20.9
20.1
0.5
1.0
1.7
1.5
2.5
4.6
1.3
1.4
7.0
0.2
0.6
0.5
a test are often used to confirm its maximal nature (23,
25, 27). With the exception of the RPE data, our results
showed that, on average, the subjects met these criteria
at both test sessions, indicating a maximal or near-maximal effort. In addition, maximal heart rates of the subjects in our study are comparable with maximal heart
rate data during shuttle run tests in other sport players
(22, 26). Mean maximal heart rate, posttest blood lactate
RELIABILITY
OF THE INTERVAL
SHUTTLE RUN TEST 825
FIGURE 2. Mean heart rates (beats·min21) for men (A) and women (B) at the start, per running speed (km·h21), maximal, and
after 1 and 2 minutes of recovery of the interval shuttle run test at the first (t 1) and second (t2) test sessions. Mean and SD are
presented in Table 2.
concentration, and end RPE were consistent between
both test sessions, indicating that the efforts during both
tests were comparable. The absolute RPE values were
somewhat lower than expected. In general, RPE values of
at least 18 are normal for maximal field tests. The reason
for this is unclear, especially since the physiological variables (i.e., the maximum heart rates and posttest blood
lactate concentrations) indicate undoubtedly a maximal
effort by the subjects.
The ISRT outcome measures (i.e., heart rates at submaximal running speeds and the number of runs) showed
high relative reliability, with ICC values ranging from
0.86–0.96 for men and 0.95–0.99 for women. The reliability coefficients from this study are in line with those ob-
tained when evaluating other intermittent field tests. A
study of a 5-m multiple shuttle test in 23 female field
hockey players to determine players’ match-related fitness reported a range of correlation coefficients of 0.74–
0.98 (7). Fitzsimons et al. (10) reported correlation coefficients of 0.75–0.94 for a running test of repeated sprint
ability in 15 men playing field hockey. Pauole et al. (19)
reported an intraclass reliability coefficient of 0.98 for a
test of agility (T-test) in college-aged men and women.
Finally, Baker et al. (2) reported a Pearson correlation
coefficient of 0.86 for a repeated maximal shuttle run test
in 10 men.
If consecutive ISRT scores are compared with earlier
scores to monitor changes over time, 95% limits of agree-
826
LEMMINK, VISSCHER, LAMBERT
ET AL.
TABLE 2. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the number of runs and heart rates of
the interval shuttle run test.
Women
Men
Total
ICC
95% CI
n
ICC
95% CI
n
ICC
95% CI
n
Number of runs
0.91
0.64–0.97
10
0.94
0.62–0.99
7
0.98
0.95–0.99
17
Heart rate (beats·min21)
Start
10 km·h21
11 km·h21
12 km·h21
13 km·h21
13.5 km·h21
14 km·h21
14.5 km·h21
15 km·h21
15.5 km·h21
Maximum
After 1 min
After 2 min
Lactate start
Lactate end
RPE end (6–20)*
0.71
0.93
0.90
0.89
0.86
0.94
0.96
0.97
0.95
0.95
0.95
0.87
0.65
0.78
0.96
0.90
20.16–0.93
0.70–0.98
0.57–0.97
0.54–0.97
0.46–0.97
0.76–0.99
0.83–0.99
0.87–0.99
0.69–0.99
0.50–0.99
0.80–0.99
0.42–0.97
20.53–0.92
0.11–0.95
0.83–0.99
0.60–0.98
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
7
5
10
9
9
10
10
10
0.93
0.95
0.95
0.95
0.98
0.99
—
—
—
—
0.97
0.78
0.78
0.67
0.88
0.75
0.57–0.99
0.67–0.99
0.69–0.99
0.69–0.99
0.86–1.00
0.18–1.00
—
—
—
—
0.85–1.00
20.20–0.96
20.25–0.96
20.91–0.94
0.32–0.98
20.45–0.96
7
7
7
7
7
5
—
—
—
—
7
7
7
7
7
7
0.82
0.79
0.95
0.96
0.96
0.97
0.97
0.97
0.95
0.95
0.96
0.88
0.68
0.73
0.97
0.82
0.51–0.94
0.41–0.92
0.88–0.98
0.89–0.99
0.88–0.98
0.92–0.99
0.91–0.99
0.87–0.99
0.69–0.99
0.50–0.99
0.90–0.99
0.66–0.96
0.09–0.88
0.24–0.90
0.76–0.97
0.51–0.94
17
17
17
17
17
15
12
10
7
5
17
16
16
17
17
17
* RPE 5 rating of perceived exertion.
precision in detecting changes when the number of runs
differ by at least 3 in men and 7 in women.
In conclusion, it is reasonable to suggest that the outcome measures of the ISRT proved to be reliable for men
and women participating in intermittent sports. As a submaximal test, results showed high relative reliability for
men and women. Absolute reliability data illustrated that
it is important to control for heart rate before starting the
ISRT. As a maximal test, the reliability of the ISRT was
supported by absolute and relative reliability data.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
FIGURE 3. Number of runs at the second test session (t2)
plotted against the number of runs at the first test session (t 1)
(intraclass correlation coefficient 5 0.91 for men, 0.94 for
women, and 0.98 for the total group).
ment are adequate to determine a ‘‘real’’ change in individual intermittent sport players (20). However, a large
sample size (n . 50) is needed to calculate limits of agreement. Since one can expect a lower heart rate at submaximal running speed as a result of endurance training,
the lower limits of the 95% CIs for the mean differences
can be interpreted as a minimum difference among the
results of individuals, indicating a real improvement in
performance level over time. The lower limits of the 95%
CIs of the mean differences for heart rate decreased substantially with increasing running speed (i.e., from approximately 9 beats·min21 at 10 km·h21 to 1 beats·min21
at 14.5 km·h21 for men and from 5 beats·min21 at 10
km·h21 to 2 beats·min21 at 13 km·h21 for women). These
results are in accordance with day-to-day variation in
heart rate at submaximal workloads in other studies (11,
12). As a maximal test, the ISRT seems to have sufficient
Coaches and trainers can use the ISRT examined in this
study, because the demands of the test are important
ones for sport performance of intermittent sport players
(alternating high- and low-intensity activities) irrespective of type of intermittent sport or playing level. It is also
a practical test to use on a regular basis, because it can
be administered easily. The ISRT showed reasonable reliability as a submaximal and maximal test and can help
coaches and trainers assess young athletic talent, differentiate among players, and monitor changes over time.
When using the ISRT to monitor changes over time,
it is important to standardize test conditions as much as
possible (i.e., avoiding heavy meals before the test, no
high-intensity exercise the day before the test, wearing
the same shoes, and comparable weather and field conditions especially if the test is conducted outdoors). Irrespective of type of intermittent sport or playing level, the
main condition for a useful application of the ISRT as a
maximal test is that sport players have to be motivated
to perform to maximal exertion.
The precision of the submaximal ISRT in detecting
significant changes over time depends on the choice of the
submaximal running speed. In general, the higher the
submaximal running speed for an individual, the better
the precision of the ISRT in detecting changes in heart
rate over time. When using the ISRT as a submaximal
test for a group of sports players, it is important to con-
RELIABILITY
duct it as a maximal test first. Based on the maximal
performances of the players, one can choose an optimal
submaximal running speed for subsequent test sessions.
16.
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Acknowledgments
The authors wish to express their sincere appreciation to
Christien Hamhuis, Manon Post, and Frans van der Heide for
their assistance in this research project. The ISRT is available
on a compact disc (with instruction booklet) from the authors.
Address correspondence to Dr. Koen A.P.M. Lemmink,
[email protected].