The Edgren Side Step Test assesses lateral agility, coordination and side-to-side movement speed. It is useful for tracking planned lateral movement capacity in sport, rehabilitation and general movement assessment.
A client may sprint forward confidently but look slow, stiff or uncoordinated when asked to move sideways. This matters in field and court sports where athletes need to shuffle, defend, reposition and change direction quickly. The Edgren Side Step Test provides a simple way to assess lateral movement speed and repeat the measure over time.
Test name: Edgren Side Step Test
Also known as: Edgren side-step test, lateral side-step test
Purpose: Assess lateral agility, coordination and side-to-side movement speed
What it assesses: Lateral stepping speed, rhythm, balance and planned change of direction
Equipment: Marked line, stopwatch or timer
Key finding: Number of successful steps in 15 seconds
Best used with: Agility T-Test, 505 Agility Test, Illinois Agility Test, balance tests and lower-limb strength testing
Key limitation: It is a planned lateral movement test, not a reactive sport agility test
The Edgren Side Step Test is a timed lateral movement test. The MAT article describes a 4 m line marked on the ground, with markers approximately 1 m apart, and a 15-second testing period where the athlete alternates side steps as quickly as possible.
The test is used to assess how efficiently a client can move laterally under time pressure. It may help identify reduced lateral quickness, poor rhythm, balance issues, reduced confidence, fatigue or movement control limitations.
It measures planned lateral stepping speed and coordination. It does not directly measure reactive agility, sport decision-making, maximal sprint speed, power, diagnosis of injury or readiness to return to sport on its own.
This test may be useful for field sport athletes, court sport athletes, older adults, rehabilitation clients and general fitness clients who need to improve or monitor lateral movement.
A flat, non-slip surface
Tape, chalk, cones, Hop MAT or floor markers
A straight 4 m line marked in 1 m intervals
Stopwatch, timer or timing app
Measurz or MAT for recording
Mark a straight line on the ground. The MAT article describes a 4 m line using chalk, tape, Hop MAT or cones, with markers 1 m apart.
Ask the client to stand at one end of the line with feet together and arms relaxed.
Explain that they will step sideways over the line and return, alternating sides as quickly and accurately as possible.
On “go”, start the timer.
The client steps sideways over the line with the right foot, returns to the starting position, then repeats to the other side with the left foot.
Continue for 15 seconds.
Count the number of successful steps completed during the test period.
Rest for approximately 30 seconds.
Repeat twice more and record the highest score from the three trials, as described in the MAT protocol.
The score is the highest number of successful steps achieved across three trials.
A higher score generally suggests better lateral stepping speed and coordination. A lower score may suggest reduced lateral movement capacity, reduced confidence, poor rhythm, fatigue, pain or balance difficulty.
Interpret the result alongside movement quality. A client who scores well but loses balance, crosses feet unexpectedly, reports pain or shows poor control may still need additional assessment.
No universal normative value should be applied across all populations and setups. Results are influenced by age, sex, sport, surface, footwear, test duration and scoring rules. Use the client’s baseline and repeated measures as the main comparison.
The MAT article lists research on the original and modified Edgren Side Step Test, including studies in older adults, women, youth soccer players and female high school basketball players. Reliability and validity are most meaningful when line setup, timing, instructions, surface and scoring are standardised.
Sensitivity and specificity are not applicable for routine use. This is a performance test, not a diagnostic test.
Common errors include changing the line length, using inconsistent timing, counting incomplete steps, not standardising rest, changing footwear or surface, and comparing results from different versions of the test.
The test is pre-planned, so it does not assess perception, reaction, opponent response or sport-specific decision-making.
Use the Edgren Side Step Test to monitor lateral agility, compare progress over time, assess side-to-side movement confidence, support return-to-sport progression and complement strength, balance and hop testing.
Record the score, test duration, number of trials, best score, surface, footwear, pain score, fatigue, confidence and movement notes. Add comments about loss of balance, hesitancy, poor rhythm, compensations or symptoms. Track progress across sessions rather than relying on one score.
Modified Edgren Side Step Test
Agility T-Test
Illinois Agility Test
505 Agility Test
Lateral Hop Test
Single Leg Balance
Hip abduction strength
Ankle stability tests
It measures planned lateral stepping speed, coordination and side-to-side movement control.
The MAT protocol uses a 15-second test period with three trials and 30 seconds of rest between trials.
No. It can support assessment and progress tracking, but it does not diagnose a condition.
There is no universal score for all clients. Compare the result with the client’s previous score and the demands of their sport, work or activity.
The Edgren Side Step Test is a simple lateral agility test.
Use the same line setup, timing and scoring every time.
Interpret score and movement quality together.
Record context in Measurz to make retesting meaningful.
Edgren, C. L., & Harkins, A. (1986). Development of a side-step test of agility for older adults. Journal of Gerontology, 41(6), 715–719.
Moyer, R. F., Edgren, C. L., & Lane, J. R. (1994). Comparison of the Edgren side-step test and pro-agility test for agility in women. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 8(4), 207–210.
Perez, A. J., Lamon, S., Torres, A., & Gómez, M. A. (2015). Assessment of the reliability and construct validity of the Edgren Side-Step Test in elite youth soccer players. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 14(4), 800–806.
Shimizu, R., Hatta, T., & Kawakami, Y. (2018). Assessing agility performance using Edgren Side-Step Test and repeated shuffle run tests. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 32(9), 2592–2598.
Staggers, N., Miller, M. G., & Grooms, D. R. (2021). The reliability and validity of a modified Edgren Side-Step Test for female high school basketball players. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 16(2), 231–240.
