Evaluating the Construct Validity and Reliability Evidence of the Track and Field Sportrec Talent Test Battery (SRTTB) for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

Talent identification in sport plays a strategic role in optimizing athletic potential while supporting inclusive participation for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The availability of valid and reliable assessment instruments remains essential to ensure accurate evaluation of physical performance capacities within this population. The present study examined the construct validity and test–retest reliability of the Track and Field SportRec Talent Test Battery (SRTTB), which was developed to assess fundamental physical abilities relevant to track and field performance among individuals with intellectual disabilities. The study involved 74 male students with intellectual disabilities aged 14–20 years from a special education school in Klang. Data were collected using a series of physical performance tests, including the standing long jump, 30 m sprint, push-up, seated medicine ball throw, standing overhead medicine ball throw, standing backward overhead medicine ball throw, and the 20 m intermittent test for estimating VO₂max. Statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS version 30. Construct validity was evaluated through convergent and discriminant validity analyses, while test–retest reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). The results demonstrated excellent reliability for the standing long jump (ICC = 0.94), 30 m sprint (0.89), push-up (0.97), standing overhead medicine ball throw (0.84), standing backward overhead medicine ball throw (0.91), and VO₂max (0.99). Moderate reliability was observed for the seated medicine ball throw (ICC = 0.70). Convergent validity analysis indicated strong correlations among physical performance measures, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.885 to 0.996. Discriminant validity analysis revealed low correlations between the SRTTB components and unrelated constructs, indicating that each test captured a distinct dimension of physical performance. Overall findings support the SRTTB as a psychometrically sound instrument for repeated application in talent identification and athlete development programs involving individuals with intellectual disabilities.