Carioca test

The Carioca test is a test of agility and kinaesthetic awareness of lateral movement, frequently used in the world of sport and training, which is very simple to perform and requires very little equipment. This test is often used in the final phase of a Functional Sports Rehabilitation (FSR) programme to return athletes to competition after lower extremity injuries, especially in subjects who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

• Required Material: A flat non-slip surface, 2 cones and marks to delimit the course of the circuit, a tape measure and a stopwatch.

• Procedure: To carry out this test, 2 cones are placed in a straight line 12 metres apart, as shown in the illustration. The goal of the test is to complete the course (A-B-A) in the shortest possible time. During the entire test course (24 metres), the subject must move laterally crossing legs in a “Carioca” step. The subject starts the test with a foot behind the first cone (A) in a sprint start position and at the signal of the evaluator he/she starts the run at maximum speed until completes the course in the shortest possible time. Any attempt in which the competitor does not step on the cone/line (B) before making the change of direction or if he/she does not perform the “carioca” step correctly will be considered void and will not be counted.

• Assessment: It is measured in seconds (sec) and the subject has a maximum of 3 attempts. In Fisicalcoach, the lowest time, as well as the mean and the median can be recorded.

• Remarks: The Carioca step is derived from a Latin dance step that involves alternately stepping one foot in front of and then behind the other. Since in exercises that require changes of direction, performance depends on the angle and speed during execution, different tests should be considered and the most specific and appropriate one should be chosen in each case. Fisicalcoach has a large set of tests available to perform.