Validity and reliability of a new stair sprinting test of explosive power

The purpose of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of a new stair sprinting power (SSP) test and, in addition, develop norms for college-age students. Two hundred twenty-seven college-age volunteers participated in the study (ages: males, [Latin capital letter X with macron above] = 21.6 +/- 2.264 years; females, [Latin capital letter X with macron above] = 22.3 +/- 4.214 years). The majority (n = 192) were tested with stopwatches, and 35 were tested using Speedtrap II. Participants began with their back to a wall 1.87 m from the first step of a 2.04-m high staircase of which they sprinted 2 steps per stride to the top. Scores were explosive power = (body mass (kg) x 98 x 2.04)/time (s). Excellent test-retest reliability (intraclass R) was demonstrated: overall, F(1, 226) = 0.420, p = 0.518, R = 0.986; stopwatch: males, F(1, 118) = 0.045, p = 0.833, R = 0.970; and females, F(1, 72) = 0.000, p = 0.998, R = 0.977; and the Speedtrap II: males, F(1, 15) = 2.599, p = 0.128, R = 0.982; and females, F(1, 18) = 0.010, p = 0.921, R = 0.980. In addition, vertical jumping distance (VJD) was acquired on 25 of the Speedtrap II participants. Using Pearson product moment correlation, relationships were determined between SSP, vertical jumping distance (VJD), and vertical jumping power (VJP): VJP = (W) = 51.9 x countermovement VJD (cm) + 48.9 x body mass (kg) - 2007. Overall, the correlation between SSP and VJD was strong, r = 0.692, p = 0.000; however, correlations by sex were neither significant nor meaningful. Significantly strong correlations were found between SSP and VJP: overall, r = 0.943, p = 0.000; males, r = 0.903, p = 0.000; and females, r = 0.835, p = 0.000. It was concluded that the new test was safe, quick, easy to administer, inexpensive, reliable, and valid both logically and concurrently when used with college-age males and females.