Field-Based Tests for the Assessment of Physical Fitness in Children and Adolescents Practicing Sport: A Systematic Review within the ESA Program

Garden Tabacchi, Guillermo F. Lopez Sanchez, Fatma Nese Sahin, Meltem Kizilyalli, Rosario Genchi, Michele Basile, Musa Kirkar, Carlos Silva, Nuno Loureiro, Eduardo Teixeira, Yolanda Demetriou, David Joseph Sturm, Simona Pajaujene, Ilona J. Zuoziene, Manuel Gómez-López, Ante Rada, Jelena Pausic, Nemanja Lakicevic, Luca Petrigna, Kaltrina Feka, Ana Ribeiro, Marianna Alesi and Antonino Bianco
Additional contact information
Garden Tabacchi: Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 15, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Guillermo F. Lopez Sanchez: Department of Physical Activity and Sport, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Murcia, Calle Argentina, 19, 30720 Murcia, Spain
Fatma Nese Sahin: Department of Sport and Health, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ankara University, Golbasi Yerleskesi Spor Bilimleri Fakultesi, 06830 Ankara, Turkey
Meltem Kizilyalli: Department of Sport and Health, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ankara University, Golbasi Yerleskesi Spor Bilimleri Fakultesi, 06830 Ankara, Turkey
Rosario Genchi: Palermo University Sport Center (CUS Palermo), Via Altofonte, 80, 90129 Palermo, Italy
Michele Basile: Palermo University Sport Center (CUS Palermo), Via Altofonte, 80, 90129 Palermo, Italy
Musa Kirkar: Palermo University Sport Center (CUS Palermo), Via Altofonte, 80, 90129 Palermo, Italy
Carlos Silva: Escola Superior de Desporto de Rio Maior (CIEQV - IPSantarem), Av. Dr. Mario Soares, 20413 RIO Maior, Portugal
Nuno Loureiro: Escola Superior de Desporto de Rio Maior (CIEQV - IPSantarem), Av. Dr. Mario Soares, 20413 RIO Maior, Portugal
Eduardo Teixeira: Escola Superior de Desporto de Rio Maior (CIEQV - IPSantarem), Av. Dr. Mario Soares, 20413 RIO Maior, Portugal
Yolanda Demetriou: Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Uptown Munich Campus D, Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62, 80992 Munich, Germany
David Joseph Sturm: Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Uptown Munich Campus D, Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62, 80992 Munich, Germany
Simona Pajaujene: Department of Coaching Science, Lithuanian Sports University, Sporto 6, LT-44221 Kaunas, Lithuania
Ilona J. Zuoziene: Department of Coaching Science, Lithuanian Sports University, Sporto 6, LT-44221 Kaunas, Lithuania
Manuel Gómez-López: Department of Physical Activity and Sport, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Murcia, Calle Argentina, 19, 30720 Murcia, Spain
Ante Rada: Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, Teslina 6, 21000 Split, Croatia
Jelena Pausic: Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, Teslina 6, 21000 Split, Croatia
Nemanja Lakicevic: Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 15, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Luca Petrigna: Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 15, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Kaltrina Feka: Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 15, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Ana Ribeiro: Escola Profissional de Aveiro, Rua Dr. Francisco Ferreira Neves. Apartado 567, Barrocas, 3800-510 Aveiro, Portugal
Marianna Alesi: Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 15, 90128 Palermo, Italy
Antonino Bianco: Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Ed. 15, 90128 Palermo, Italy

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 24, 1-21

Abstract: High levels of physical fitness (PF) can positively affect both health and cognitive function, thus monitoring its levels in youth can help increase health and quality of life in adult populations later on. This systematic review aims to identify PF field-based tests used in young European populations practicing sport to find tools that are adequate for the considered target involving a new battery within the Enriched Sport Activities (ESA) project. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement was followed. In the 83 identified articles, the main tests used were: vertical/horizontal jumps (for muscular strength/power); push-ups, running at maximum effort, sit-ups (for muscular strength/endurance); multistage non-intermittent and intermittent tests (for aerobic endurance); sit and reach (for flexibility); sprinting and agility T -tests (for speed and agility, respectively); 10 × 5 m shuttle run (SR) (for both speed and agility). Few studies assessed coordination, reaction time, power, and balance. Although the selected tests are widely used and validated, they do not determine all PF aspects and do not reflect sport-specific features. A final decision was made for the inclusion of the following tests: standing broad jump, seated medicine ball throw, 20 m SR test, 30 m sprint, Illinois test, and a new test, i.e., the crunning test, to assess different skill-related components at once. The use of this combination of tests allows for the assessment of all PF components and can help planning effective training programs and cultivate sporting talent.

Keywords: physical fitness; field-based test; children; sport; assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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