Validity and reliability of the Illinois Agility Test (IAT) for assessing agility in Pencak Silat athletes

Abstract

Introduction: Agility is a crucial skill for martial arts athletes, significantly impacting performance, strength, speed, and power in both the upper and lower extremities. To enhance athletic performance in martial arts, agility must be measured using a valid and reliable tool. Objective: This study evaluates the validity and reliability of the Illinois Agility Test (IAT) as a tool for assessing agility in Pencak Silat athletes. Methodology: The research adapted Thiagarajan’s Define, Design, and Develop model within a structured 3D model development approach to tailor the IAT for Pencak Silat. Seven experts, including two national coaches, two professors specializing in Pencak Silat, and three national-level physical trainers, participated in the evaluation. Expert feedback was gathered using a 4-point Likert scale, and content validity was assessed using Aiken’s V. Results: The IAT demonstrated high content validity (V = 0.93) and reliability (r = 0.81), confirming its effectiveness in assessing agility in martial arts athletes. The test produced consistent results across different evaluators. Discussion: Findings indicate that the IAT effectively captures key agility components relevant to Pencak Silat, such as rapid directional changes and multi-directional movements. Conclusions: The IAT is a valid and reliable tool for measuring agility in Pencak Silat athletes. Its implementation can assist coaches, athletes, and researchers in evaluating and improving agility, ultimately enhancing martial arts performance.

Keywords

• Agility assessment
• martial arts performance
• pencak silat athletes
• sports performance evaluation