Validity and Reliability of a New Karate-Specific Aerobic Field Test for Karatekas

Abstract

Purpose: This study determined the validity and reliability of a new specific field test that was based on the scientific data from the latest research.Methods: Seventeen international-level karatekas participated in the study: 14 men (age 24.1 ± 4.6 y, body mass 65.7 ± 10.8 kg) and 3 women (age 19 ± 3.6 y, body mass 54.1 ± 0.9 kg). All performed the new karate-specific test (KST) 2 times (test and retest sessions were carried out on separated occasions 1 wk apart). Thirteen men also performed a laboratory test to assess maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max).Results: Test–retest results showed the KST to be reliable. Peak oxygen uptake (VO_2peak), peak heart rate (HR_peak), blood lactate concentration, rating of perceived exertion, and time to exhaustion (TE) did not display a difference between the test and the retest. The SEM and ICC for relative and absolute VO_2peak and TE were .90, respectively. Significant correlations were found between VO_2peak (mL · kg⁻¹ · min⁻¹) and TE measured from the KST (r = .71, 95%CI 0.35–0.88, P < .0001). There was also no significant difference between VO_2peak measured from the KST and VO_2max recorded from the cycle-ergometer laboratory test (55.1 ± 4.8 vs 53.2 ± 6.6 mL · kg⁻¹ · min⁻¹, respectively; t = –1.85, df = 12, P = .08, d_z = 0.51 [small]). The Bland and Altman analyses reported a mean difference (bias) ± the 95% limits of agreement of 1.9 ± 7.35 mL · kg⁻¹ · min⁻¹.Conclusions: This study showed that the new KST test, with effort patterns replicating real karate combat sessions, can be considered a valid and reliable karate-specific field test for assessing karatekas’ endurance fitness.