Reliability and profiling of physical performance tests in Australian Football League Women's (AFLW) athletes

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to establish the test-retest reliability of physical performance tests in elite Australian Football League Women's (AFLW) athletes. DESIGN: Repeated measures cohort study. METHODS: ) were performed for the best repetition from each session to assess reliability with the level of significance set at p ≤ 0.05. The coefficient of variation (CV, %), standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC) were also calculated. RESULTS: CMJ relative peak power (ICC = 0.90, CV = 2.5 %) and 20 m sprint (ICC = 0.91, CV = 1.0 %) had excellent reliability. Good reliability was observed for CMJ jump height (ICC = 0.85, CV = 4 %), CMJ reactive strength index (RSI) (ICC = 0.82, CV = 4.6 %), DJ and SJ relative peak power (ICC = 0.82-0.85, CV = 2.6-3.2 %) and hip abduction peak force (ICC = 0.82-0.83, CV = 7.8-8.6 %). Moderate reliability was observed for DJ and SJ jump height (ICC = 0.61-0.63, CV = 4.8-5.8 %), DJ and SJ RSI (ICC = 0.61, CV = 4.8-12 %) and hip adduction peak force (ICC = 0.60, CV = 7.9-9.0 %). NHE peak force had good to excellent reliability (ICC = 0.85-0.94, CV = 3.3-5.3 %). CONCLUSIONS: High reliability of most commonly used physical performance tests in elite AFLW athletes gives practitioners confidence in their use to inform contemporary profiling and rehabilitation strategies. A more cautious approach is advised when considering results for the DJ and SJ jump height and RSI, and the hip adduction peak force due to moderate reliability.