Test-retest reliability of the EUROFIT test battery: a review

Purpose While several studies have examined the reliability of the EUROFIT test battery, the findings are conflicting. Therefore, this paper aimed to conduct a review of studies that explored the reliability of the EUROFIT test battery. Methods Seven databases were searched to find studies that investigated the reliability of the EUROFIT test battery. From all included studies, intra-class correlation coefficients for the nine tests used in EUROFIT were extracted. The COSMIN checklist was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the studies. Results Six excellent quality studies were included in the review. The following findings were observed in the included studies: (a) the flamingo balance test has moderate-to-good reliability; (b) plate tapping, handgrip strength, sit-ups, bent-arm hang, 10 x 5-m agility shuttle run, and the 20-m multistage shuttle run have moderate-to-excellent reliability; and (c) the sit-and-reach and standing board jump tests have good-to-excellent reliability. Conclusion Overall, the findings of this review suggest that the EUROFIT can be used as a reliable battery of tests to assess physical fitness in research and practice. Still, as there were only six included studies, more research in different populations is needed. Future studies are also required to explore the influence of variables (e.g., familiarization with the exercise tests) that may impact the reliability of the EUROFIT test battery.