Establishing the test–retest reliability & concurrent validity for the repeat ice skating test (RIST) in adolescent male ice hockey players

In this study the authors examine the test–retest reliability and concurrent validity of the Repeat Ice Skating Test (RIST). This was an on-ice field anaerobic test that measured average peak power and was validated with 3 anaerobic lab tests: (a) vertical jump, (b) the Margaria–Kalamen stair test, and (c) the Wingate Anaerobic Test. The participants (n = 14) were 11- to 12-year-old males selected from a Peewee "A" level ice hockey team (Thunder Bay, Canada). The results of the test–retest reliability estimation showed that the RIST was a reliable test at measuring average peak power in watts (R = .99, C.I.95% = 0.97 to 0.99) and watts per kilogram (R = .98, C.I.95% = 0.94 to 0.99). The RIST was also a valid test when correlated with the 3 anaerobic lab tests for measuring peak power in watts: vertical jump (r = .86, C.I.95% = 0.72 to 0.94), Margaria–Kalamen stair test (r = .66, C.I.95% = 0.39 to 0.83) and Wingate Anaerobic Test (r = .86, C.I.95% = 0.72 to 0.93). The test is considered promising because it does not require any specific equipment, and is a sport-specific, on-ice test, that can be administered during a regular ice hockey practice session.