Exploratory validation study demonstrates good reliability and predictive validity of a novel serve test in pickleball players, suggesting utility for standardized skill evaluation.
Key Points
To iteratively develop and evaluate the reliability and predictive validity of the Pickleball Power and Placement test as a standardized measure of paddle-stroke ability.
Conducted sequential exploratory pilot studies across multiple phases to refine test protocols and setup iteratively.
Assessed inter-rater reliability during single-session testing and evaluated predictive validity by administering tests immediately prior to tournament play.
Earlier phases demonstrated good inter-rater reliability, informing data-driven refinements to the test setup.
The test showed preliminary validity for predicting winning match performance in singles and women's doubles, but not in men's doubles.
A small learning effect was observed during testing, though its effect size suggested minimal practical relevance.