Adaptation of the Resistance Training Skills Battery for Use in Children Across the Motor Proficiency Spectrum.

Purpose: The study aim was to adapt the Resistance Training Skills Battery for use in children and assess its interrater and intrarater reliability. The RTSBc provides an assessment of resistance training (RT) skill competency and an indication of readiness to perform RT. The RTSBc includes 6 basic RT skills. Scoring for individual RT skills is based on the number of performance criteria correctly demonstrated and a gross resistance training skills quotient for children (RTSQc) is calculated by summing the individual skill scores.

Methods: Twenty participants (mean age = 8.2 ± 1.8 years) were assessed while performing the RTSBc on 2 occasions. The 3 raters completing the assessments had varying levels of movement analysis and RT experience and received training in how to appraise RT skill competency using the RTSBc.

Results: Interrater reliability for the 3 raters was very good for the RTSQc (ICC = 0.92) and individual RT skills (ICC range = 0.82-0.94). Intrarater reliability of the live rater was also very good for the RTSQc (ICC = 0.97) and individual RT skills (ICC range = 0.87-0.95).

Conclusion: This study has demonstrated the interrater and intrarater reliability of the RTSBc for children with varying levels of motor proficiency. The RTSBc can be used reliably within and between-raters to assess the RT skill competency of children.