Psychometric evaluation of commonly used game-specific skills tests in rugby: A systematic review

Abstract

ObjectivesTo (1) give an overview of commonly used game-specific skills tests in rugby and (2) evaluate available psychometric information of these tests.MethodsThe databases PubMed, MEDLINE CINAHL and Africa Wide information were systematically searched for articles published between January 1995 and March 2017. First, commonly used game-specific skills tests were identified. Second, the available psychometrics of these tests were evaluated and the methodological quality of the studies assessed using the Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments checklist. Studies included in the first step had to report detailed information on the construct and testing procedure of at least one game-specific skill, and studies included in the second step had additionally to report at least one psychometric property evaluating reliability, validity or responsiveness.Results287 articles were identified in the first step, of which 30 articles met the inclusion criteria and 64 articles were identified in the second step of which 10 articles were included. Reactive agility, tackling and simulated rugby games were the most commonly used tests. All 10 studies reporting psychometrics reported reliability outcomes, revealing mainly strong evidence. However, all studies scored poor or fair on methodological quality. Four studies reported validity outcomes in which mainly moderate evidence was indicated, but all articles had fair methodological quality.ConclusionGame-specific skills tests indicated mainly high reliability and validity evidence, but the studies lacked methodological quality. Reactive agility seems to be a promising domain, but the specific tests need further development. Future high methodological quality studies are required in order to develop valid and reliable test batteries for rugby talent identification.Trial registration numberPROSPERO CRD42015029747.

Anthropometric, physiological characteristics and rugby-specific game skills discriminating Zimbabwean under-16 male adolescent rugby players by level of competition

“…This was despite the elite players showing better tackling and catching skills. Given the importance of passing in rugby as evidenced by the number of studies investigating the passing ability of RU or RL players,21 these findings probably indicate similar proficiency in passing abilities between elite and subelite U16 RU playing competitive rugby in Zimbabwean schools. Consistently, passing components failed to show discriminative ability between NZ U16 players and SA U16 rugby players 11.…”

“…Practically, this hints to the coaches the importance of skill training incorporating tackling and catching skills among U16 RU players. A recent review showed that tackling and catching represent important technical elements in rugby and are commonly evaluated among rugby players 21. However, there are limited studies comparing game-specific skills of elite U16 to subelite U16 RU players in the literature.…”

Anthropometric, physiological characteristics and rugby-specific game skills of schoolboy players of different age categories and playing standards

“…To test study hypotheses, a cross-sectional design was employed to compare participant performances based on the School Clinical Rugby Measure (SCRuM) test battery. The processes involved in developing the test battery have been explained elsewhere [26][27][28][29][30]. Two hundred and eight (208) schoolboys participated in this study and were derived from three different schools.…”

Logical validation and evaluation of practical feasibility for the SCRuM (School Clinical Rugby Measure) test battery developed for young adolescent rugby players in a resource-constrained environment

“…The present study was conducted to evaluate the logical or content validity and the practical feasibility of each test item in the newly-designed SCRuM test battery developed for use in a large study to determine the anthropometric, physical, physiological and rugby-specific game skills discriminating young male adolescent rugby players by playing abilities and level of competition. Briefly, the test battery had been developed from information gathered through a narrative and systematic literature review [ 10 , 11 ] combined with results from a qualitative study investigating the perceptions of local rugby coaches of the qualities important in rugby for young adolescent rugby players and the corresponding tests used for evaluation of these qualities. This study was therefore carried out to refine the first version of the SCRuM test battery by evaluating the relevance, comprehensiveness of the test items included in the test battery based on rugby experts perceptions and further ascertain the practical feasibility of conducting the various test items included in the test battery as judged by the local high school coaches likely to be intended users of the test battery.…”

“…This study was conducted between January and February 2018. Possible candidate names for international experts were obtained from an online document listing “top” 100 experts in sports science [ 66 ] and also from reference lists of two systematic reviews conducted by the lead author [ 10 , 11 ]. This was done to determine the authors frequently publishing on physical characteristics and rugby-specific game skills.…”