Construct differentiation and reliability of a novel curvilinear sprint test in female handball players

The curved 6-m goal-area line offers a practical basis for assessing curvilinear sprinting in handball, yet sprint testing in the sport remains predominantly linear. This study evaluated the reliability and construct differentiation of a curvilinear sprint (CS) test based on this existing court marking. Twenty-five female handball players completed one familiarisation and two test sessions separated by 48 h. In each session, players performed three linear sprint (LS) trials and three CS trials in each direction over the same 21.85-m distance. Performance differences and session effects were examined using repeated-measures analysis of variance, while reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients, coefficient of variation, typical error, minimal detectable change, and Bland–Altman analysis. LS was faster than the right and left CS conditions by 0.80 and 0.83 s, respectively (both p < 0.001), while LS and CS shared 58% to 68% of their variance. Between-session ICCs for the CS conditions ranged from 0.88 to 0.89, with CVs of 1.66% to 1.83%, while three-trial within-session ICCs ranged from 0.95 to 0.98. Performance was faster in the second session ( p = 0.003), although the changes were smaller than the corresponding minimal detectable change values. Curvilinear sprint performance is strongly related to, but not fully represented by, linear sprint performance. The test showed good repeatability and provides a practical option for directly assessing curvilinear sprint ability in female handball players.