title: MEASURING SPORT-SPECIFIC PHYSICAL ABILITIES IN MALE GYMNASTS: THE MEN'S GYMNASTICS FUNCTIONAL MEASUREMENT TOOL.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite the availability of various field-tests for many competitive sports, a reliable and valid test specifically developed for use in men's gymnastics has not yet been developed. The Men's Gymnastics Functional Measurement Tool (MGFMT) was designed to assess sport-specific physical abilities in male competitive gymnasts. The purpose of this study was to develop the MGFMT by establishing a scoring system for individual test items and to initiate the process of establishing test-retest reliability and construct validity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 83 competitive male gymnasts ages 7-18 underwent testing using the MGFMT. Thirty of these subjects underwent re-testing one week later in order to assess test-retest reliability. Construct validity was assessed using a simple regression analysis between total MGFMT scores and the gymnasts' USA-Gymnastics competitive level to calculate the coefficient of determination (r2). Test-retest reliability was analyzed using Model 1 Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Statistical significance was set at the p<0.05 level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The relationship between total MGFMT scores and subjects' current USA-Gymnastics competitive level was found to be good (r2= 0.63). Reliability testing of the MGFMT composite test score showed excellent test-retest reliability over a one-week period (ICC = 0.97). Test-retest reliability of the individual component tests ranged from good to excellent (ICC = 0.75-0.97).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study provide initial support for the construct validity and test-retest reliability of the MGFMT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level 3.
authors.affiliation: University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Sleeper
authors.affiliation: University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Kenyon
authors.affiliation: University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA.
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.affiliation: University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA.
authors.forename: M Samuel
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Cheng
keywords: Functional measurement; gymnastics; physical abilities 