Practical Validity Test-retest Reliability
What is the validity & reliability of the assigned test, and how are they correlated?
6-min walk, Trunk lift, Chair-sit & reach
Practical coordinator:
Faculty of health, Medicine and Life sciences (FHML)
Maastricht University
Course: BGZ2025
Date:
, Assignments
Assignment 1: Validity
Question 1.1
For each assigned test:
a. What underlying construct or dimension of physical fitness does the test intend to measure?
Test 1: 6-minute walk test
In this test you measure the max distance possible to walk in six minutes. The parcours could be 10,
30 or 50 meters (Hamilton & Haennel, 2000)
Test 2: Chair sit-and-reach test
The goal is to measure the flexibility and length of the hamstrings, which is measured by distance
between the tip of the finger and the toes (Jones & Rikli, 2002).
Test 3: Trunk lift test
The aim of the test is to lift the upper body by using the muscles of the back. Measurement will be
made of the distance from the floor to the chin (Topendsports, N.D.).
b. What does the validity of this test mean? (if applicable, explain the terms of content,
construct and criterion validity)
Validity is the most important issue in selecting a test. Validity refers to what characteristic the test
measures and how well the test measures that characteristic. Validity also describes the degree to
which specific conclusions can be made based on the test scores. Indicating the usefulness of the
test (Department of Labour employment and Training Administration, 1999).
Test 1: 6-minute walk test
The 6 minute walk test (6MWT) is a self-paced walking test that measures the distance an individual
is able to walk on a hard, flat surface for 6 minutes.The 6MWT corresponds with the construct that it
is intended to measure, which is aerobic endurance. Therefore, this test is content valid. It is also
considered the gold standard of endurance testing when measuring the aerobic capacity of patients
with advanced diseases and multiple comorbidities (Trentzsch et al, 2021). So, even though it may be
used as a tool for the measurement of anaerobic endurance for people with comorbidities, it isn't
often used for younger and healthier people. They tend to use the 1.5 mile (2.4 km) run or the 12-
minute running test. Therefore the 6MWT isn’t a golden standard for everyone, therefore having a
lower criterion validity (Mayo Clinic, 2017).
Test 2: Chair sit-and-reach test
The sit and reach test (SRT) is a common protocol used to assess hamstring and lower back flexibility.
The protocol requires participants to sit on the chair and maximally flex the trunk while keeping their
legs straight with knees locked and ankles at a 90 degree angle (French et al, 2016).
Traditionally, to measure hamstring flexibility the floor sit and reach test is used. The participant is
sitting on the floor instead of a chair. However, the chair sit and reach test if performed correctly is
also a good measurement (Jones et al, 1998). A limitation to this test is that not everyone is of the
same stature, some have longer torsos, arms or even legs. This can skew the results when measuring
the flexibility of the lower back and hamstrings (Cartwrightfitness, 2016).. This limits the construct
validity as the test might not measure accurately and assess what it is supposed to. However, making
What is the validity & reliability of the assigned test, and how are they correlated?
6-min walk, Trunk lift, Chair-sit & reach
Practical coordinator:
Faculty of health, Medicine and Life sciences (FHML)
Maastricht University
Course: BGZ2025
Date:
, Assignments
Assignment 1: Validity
Question 1.1
For each assigned test:
a. What underlying construct or dimension of physical fitness does the test intend to measure?
Test 1: 6-minute walk test
In this test you measure the max distance possible to walk in six minutes. The parcours could be 10,
30 or 50 meters (Hamilton & Haennel, 2000)
Test 2: Chair sit-and-reach test
The goal is to measure the flexibility and length of the hamstrings, which is measured by distance
between the tip of the finger and the toes (Jones & Rikli, 2002).
Test 3: Trunk lift test
The aim of the test is to lift the upper body by using the muscles of the back. Measurement will be
made of the distance from the floor to the chin (Topendsports, N.D.).
b. What does the validity of this test mean? (if applicable, explain the terms of content,
construct and criterion validity)
Validity is the most important issue in selecting a test. Validity refers to what characteristic the test
measures and how well the test measures that characteristic. Validity also describes the degree to
which specific conclusions can be made based on the test scores. Indicating the usefulness of the
test (Department of Labour employment and Training Administration, 1999).
Test 1: 6-minute walk test
The 6 minute walk test (6MWT) is a self-paced walking test that measures the distance an individual
is able to walk on a hard, flat surface for 6 minutes.The 6MWT corresponds with the construct that it
is intended to measure, which is aerobic endurance. Therefore, this test is content valid. It is also
considered the gold standard of endurance testing when measuring the aerobic capacity of patients
with advanced diseases and multiple comorbidities (Trentzsch et al, 2021). So, even though it may be
used as a tool for the measurement of anaerobic endurance for people with comorbidities, it isn't
often used for younger and healthier people. They tend to use the 1.5 mile (2.4 km) run or the 12-
minute running test. Therefore the 6MWT isn’t a golden standard for everyone, therefore having a
lower criterion validity (Mayo Clinic, 2017).
Test 2: Chair sit-and-reach test
The sit and reach test (SRT) is a common protocol used to assess hamstring and lower back flexibility.
The protocol requires participants to sit on the chair and maximally flex the trunk while keeping their
legs straight with knees locked and ankles at a 90 degree angle (French et al, 2016).
Traditionally, to measure hamstring flexibility the floor sit and reach test is used. The participant is
sitting on the floor instead of a chair. However, the chair sit and reach test if performed correctly is
also a good measurement (Jones et al, 1998). A limitation to this test is that not everyone is of the
same stature, some have longer torsos, arms or even legs. This can skew the results when measuring
the flexibility of the lower back and hamstrings (Cartwrightfitness, 2016).. This limits the construct
validity as the test might not measure accurately and assess what it is supposed to. However, making
