The test-retest reliability and criterion validity of a high-intensity, netball-specific circuit test: The Net-Test.

Objectives: To examine the test-retest reliability and criterion validity of a high-intensity, netball-specific fitness test.

Design: Repeated measures, within-subject design.

Methods: Eighteen female netball players competing in an international competition completed a trial of the Net-Test, which consists of 14 timed netball-specific movements. Players also completed a series of netball-relevant criterion fitness tests. Ten players completed an additional Net-Test trial one week later to assess test-retest reliability using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), typical error of measurement (TEM), and coefficient of variation (CV). The typical error of estimate expressed as CV and Pearson correlations were calculated between each criterion test and Net-Test performance to assess criterion validity.

Results: Five movements during the Net-Test displayed moderate ICC (0.84-0.90) and two movements displayed high ICC (0.91-0.93). Seven movements and heart rate taken during the Net-Test held low CV (<5%) with values ranging from 1.7 to 9.5% across measures. Total time (41.63±2.05s) during the Net-Test possessed low CV and significant (p<0.05) correlations with 10m sprint time (1.98±0.12s; CV=4.4%, r=0.72), 20m sprint time (3.38±0.19s; CV=3.9%, r=0.79), 505 Change-of-Direction time (2.47±0.08s; CV=2.0%, r=0.80); and maximum oxygen uptake (46.59±2.58 mLkgmin; CV=4.5%, r=-0.66).

Conclusions: The Net-Test possesses acceptable reliability for the assessment of netball fitness. Further, the high criterion validity for the Net-Test suggests a range of important netball-specific fitness elements are assessed in combination.