RT journal article
T1 Criterion-Related Validity of Field-Based Fitness Tests in Adults: A Systematic Review
A1 Castro Piñero, José
A1 Marín Jiménez, Nuria
A1 Fernández Santos, Jorge del Rosario
A1 Martín Acosta, Fátima
A1 Segura Jiménez, Víctor
A1 Izquierdo Gómez, Rocío
A1 Ruiz, Jonatan R.
A1 Cuenca García, María Magdalena
A2 Didáctica de la Educación FísicaPlástica y Musical
K1 cardiorespiratory fitness
K1 muscular strength
K1 motor fitness and flexibility
K1 validation
K1 fitness testing
K1 adulthood
AB We comprehensively assessed the criterion-related validity of existing field-based fitness tests used to indicate adult health (19-64 years, with no known pathologies). The medical electronic databases MEDLINE (via PubMed) and Web of Science (all databases) were screened for studies published up to July 2020. Each original study's methodological quality was classified as high, low and very low, according to the number of participants, the description of the study population, statistical analysis and systematic reviews which were appraised via the AMSTAR rating scale. Three evidence levels were constructed (strong, moderate and limited evidence) according to the number of studies and the consistency of the findings. We identified 101 original studies (50 of high quality) and five systematic reviews examining the criterion-related validity of field-based fitness tests in adults. Strong evidence indicated that the 20 m shuttle run, 1.5-mile, 12 min run/walk, YMCA step, 2 km walk and 6 min walk test are valid for estimating cardiorespiratory fitness; the handgrip strength test is valid for assessing hand maximal isometric strength; and the Biering-Sorensen test to evaluate the endurance strength of hip and back muscles; however, the sit-and reach test, and its different versions, and the toe-to-touch test are not valid for assessing hamstring and lower back flexibility. We found moderate evidence supporting that the 20 m square shuttle run test is a valid test for estimating cardiorespiratory fitness. Other field-based fitness tests presented limited evidence, mainly due to few studies. We developed an evidence-based proposal of the most valid field-based fitness tests in healthy adults aged 19-64 years old.
PB MDPI
SN 2077-0383
YR 2021
FD 2021-08
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/25753
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/25753
LA eng
NO This project was supported by Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness in the 2017 call for R&D Projects of the State Program for Research, Development and Innovation Oriented to the Challenges of the Company; National Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and of Innovation 2017-2020 (DEP2017-88043-R); and the Regional Government of Andalusia and University of Cadiz: Research and Knowledge Transfer Fund (PPIT-FPI19).
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 07-nov-2026