Objectives This study assessed the test-retest reliability of athletic performance tests in a cohort of trained Norwegian female handball players, as well as a sub-analysis of the test-retest reliability for naturally menstruating players (NM). Design Eighteen handball players (NM: n=8) completed performance test batteries on three separate occasions. Method The performance test battery included: a 1-repetition Smith machine back squat, maximal handgrip strength tests, counter-movement jumps, squat jumps, a modified agility T-test, and 15-m linear sprints. For the NM players, the testing sessions were completed at three hormonally-distinct points within a menstrual cycle (i.e., early follicular, ovulation, and mid-luteal phases). Reliability statistics (intraclass correlations [ICC], standard error of measurement, minimum difference, and coefficient of variation) were calculated for each performance test. Results Good-to-excellent test-retest reliability was found for all performance measures (ICC2,1 point estimates = 0.82 to 0.94), although max squat jumps were somewhat lower (ICC2,1 = 0.75 [95%CI = 0.55, 0.88]). Subgroup analysis for NM players also revealed consistently high reliability values for all tests (ICC2,1 point estimate = 0.83 to 0.74). Conclusions These reliability data support the periodic use of selected athletic tests in routine handball assessments, in order to identify changes in sporting performance and monitor player progress. As test reliability does not appear to be influenced by the menstrual cycle phase, coaches and sports practitioners may schedule testing sessions for all athletes, without concern of a confounding effect from menstrual phases. Keywords Team sport1RMJump heightOral contraceptiveSquatMenstrual cycle Practical Implications - Female handball players demonstrate fair-to-excellent reliability for commonly-used athletic tests of strength, power, agility, and sprint performance. - Naturally menstruating players also had high test-retest reliability across different menstrual cycle phases, suggesting coaches may implement athletic testing when necessary and without concern of a confounding effect from phase. - The normative reliability data provided by this study, such as minimum difference values, can be utilised by coaches to evaluate performance changes in female handball athletes when using common athletic performance tests.
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