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 gives professionals a simple way to assess lateral movement speed and repeat the measure over time. It can be useful for athletes, active clients, rehabilitation progress tracking and general movement screening. The key is to keep the setup, timing, surface, footwear and scoring method consistent.

This article explains how to perform the Edgren Side Step Test, how to interpret results, what benchmark evidence is available, and how to record it clearly in Measurz.

Quick Summary

Test name: Edgren Side Step Test
Also known as: Edgren side-step test, lateral side-step test, ESST
Purpose: Assess planned lateral agility and side-to-side movement speed
What it assesses: Lateral stepping speed, rhythm, coordination, balance and planned change of direction
Equipment: Flat non-slip surface, tape/chalk/cones or MAT markings, stopwatch or timer
Measurz/MAT score: Highest number of successful steps in 15 seconds across three trials
Best used with: Agility T-Test, 505 Agility Test, Illinois Agility Test, lateral hop testing, single-leg balance and lower-limb strength testing
Key limitation: It is a pre-planned lateral movement test, not a reactive sport agility test

What Is the Edgren Side Step Test?

The Edgren Side Step Test is a timed lateral movement test. The Measurz/MAT article describes a 4 m line marked in 1 m intervals, with the client moving side-to-side as quickly and accurately as possible for 15 seconds.

Published versions of the Edgren Side Step Test vary. Some research describes the original or standardised ESST as a 10-second test over a 4 m course, with performance recorded as the distance or number of 1 m sections covered.  

Because different versions use different durations and scoring methods, results should only be compared with the same protocol.

Why It Is Used

The Edgren Side Step Test is used to assess how efficiently a client can move laterally under time pressure. It may help identify:

• reduced lateral quickness
• poor rhythm or coordination
• hesitation or reduced confidence
• balance issues during repeated side stepping
• fatigue-related changes in movement quality
• side-to-side movement control limitations

It can also support progress tracking when a client is returning to multidirectional running, court sport, field sport, tactical activity or higher-level exercise.

What It Measures

The Edgren Side Step Test measures planned lateral stepping speed and coordination. It provides practical information about how quickly a client can move side-to-side while maintaining control.

It does not directly measure:

• reactive agility
• sport decision-making
• opponent response
• maximal sprint speed
• lower-limb power in isolation
• injury diagnosis
• return-to-sport clearance on its own

A better score may suggest improved lateral movement capacity, but interpretation should include movement quality, pain, confidence, balance and related strength or hop findings.

Who It Is Useful For

The test may be useful for:

• field sport athletes
• court sport athletes
• dancers and multidirectional athletes
• tactical populations
• older adults when a safe version is appropriate
• rehabilitation clients progressing toward lateral movement
• general fitness clients who need to monitor side-to-side movement

Use caution with clients who have acute pain, poor balance, dizziness, recent lower-limb injury, significant fear of movement or difficulty following instructions.

Equipment Required

You will need:

• flat, dry, non-slip testing surface
• tape, chalk, cones, floor markers or MAT markings
• straight 4 m line with markers at 1 m intervals
• stopwatch, timer or timing app
• Measurz/MAT record for storing results
• optional: video capture for movement quality review

Keep the same footwear and surface for retesting wherever possible.

Step-by-Step Protocol / Practice

1. Prepare the area

Mark a straight 4 m line on the ground with markers at 1 m intervals. The Measurz/MAT version allows chalk, tape, Hop MAT or cones.

Use a flat, safe surface with enough room around the line.

2. Explain the test

Tell the client:

“Move sideways as quickly as you can while staying controlled. Stay facing forward, avoid crossing your feet, and try to complete as many successful steps as possible in 15 seconds.”

3. Starting position

Have the client stand at one end of the line with feet together and arms relaxed. Check that they understand which direction to move first.

4. Practice

Allow one submaximal practice trial if the client is unfamiliar with the movement. Keep practice consistent across future sessions.

5. Start the test

On “go”, start the timer. The client side-steps over the line, returns to the starting position, then repeats to the opposite side as quickly and accurately as possible.

6. Timing

Continue for 15 seconds for the Measurz/MAT protocol.

7. Scoring

Count the number of successful steps completed during the test period. Do not count incomplete or uncontrolled movements if the scoring rule has been breached.

8. Rest and repeat

Rest for approximately 30 seconds, then repeat. Complete three trials and record the best score, as described in the current MAT protocol.

Scoring and Interpretation

The score is the highest number of successful steps achieved across three trials.

A higher score generally suggests better lateral stepping speed, rhythm and planned change-of-direction capacity. A lower score may suggest reduced lateral movement capacity, poor confidence, fatigue, pain, balance difficulty or reduced coordination.

Interpret the score alongside:

• movement quality
• pain score
• symptoms during and after the test
• balance or loss of control
• hesitancy
• foot crossing
• trunk lean
• footwear and surface
• fatigue level
• sport or work demands
• comparison with previous Measurz results

A fast score with poor control should not be interpreted as “better” without context. For example, a client who achieves a high count but repeatedly loses balance, crosses feet, reports pain or cannot maintain frontal-plane control may need further assessment.

Normative Data, Benchmarks or Reference Values

Benchmark level: Level 2 — closest available benchmark

No high-quality published normative values were found for the exact Measurz/MAT 15-second protocol using the same scoring method.

The closest useful reference comes from published research using a 10-second ESST over a 4 m course in 97 young, physically active male U.S. Army servicemembers aged 18–39 years. In that study, the mean ESST distance was 24.27 ± 2.29 m at session two, with a range of 20–30 m.  

This is a useful performance context only. It should not be used as a strict pass/fail benchmark for the Measurz/MAT 15-second version because the test duration and scoring format differ.

Practical comparison guidance

For Measurz users, the most meaningful comparisons are:

• the client’s own baseline
• repeated tests using the same protocol
• left/right movement quality if relevant
• sport or activity demands
• confidence and symptom response
• progress across a training or rehabilitation block
• comparison with related tests such as lateral hop, T-Test, 505 Agility Test or single-leg balance

Small score changes may reflect timing, counting, surface, fatigue or learning effects. Stronger interpretation comes from consistent improvement across sessions, better movement quality and results that align with symptoms, function or performance goals.

Reliability and Validity

Evidence for the exact Measurz/MAT 15-second protocol is limited. The best available evidence comes from similar 10-second or modified Edgren protocols.

In young, physically active male servicemembers, the 10-second ESST showed excellent interrater reliability with ICC/r = 0.92 and moderate test-retest reliability with ICC/r = 0.62. The same study reported SEM = 1.41 m and MDC = 3.91 m, meaning that changes smaller than this may reflect measurement error in that population and protocol.  

That study also found moderate relationships between the ESST and other agility tests: ESST with T-Test r = -0.69 and ESST with Illinois Agility Test r = -0.65. The negative relationship is expected because a greater ESST distance is better, while lower times are better for timed agility tests.  

A 2020 study using a modified Edgren Side Step Test found that accelerometer-derived overall time was not significantly different from stopwatch timing and that ankle-worn sensors could add split-time and lag-time information. This supports the idea that instrumented versions may provide useful extra detail, but those results apply to the modified protocol rather than the standard Measurz/MAT 15-second score.  

Sensitivity and Specificity

Sensitivity and specificity are not applicable for routine use of the Edgren Side Step Test because it is a performance test, not a stand-alone diagnostic or screening test.

The result may support clinical reasoning, performance profiling and progress tracking, but it does not confirm, rule in or rule out an injury or condition.

Common Errors and Limitations

Common testing errors include:

• changing the line length or marker spacing
• using 10-second and 15-second versions interchangeably
• comparing step count with distance-based research results
• inconsistent timing or late stopwatch start
• counting incomplete steps
• allowing foot crossing when the protocol does not allow it
• changing footwear or surface between sessions
• not recording pain, symptoms or confidence
• ignoring movement quality
• using the test as the only return-to-sport measure

The biggest limitation is that the test is pre-planned. It does not assess perception, reaction, tactical decision-making, opponent response or sport-specific reactive agility.

Practical Applications

The Edgren Side Step Test can be used to:

• monitor lateral agility over time
• assess confidence during side-to-side movement
• track progress after lower-limb injury
• support return-to-running or return-to-sport progressions
• complement strength, hop and balance testing
• compare movement quality before and after training blocks
• identify when a client needs more lateral control, deceleration or coordination work

Use it as one part of a broader assessment. For sport decisions, combine it with strength testing, hop tests, balance/proprioception measures, sprint or agility tests, pain response, training exposure and professional judgement.

How to Record This in Measurz

Record enough detail to make retesting meaningful.

In Measurz, include:

• test name: Edgren Side Step Test
• protocol version: Measurz/MAT 15-second version
• score/result: best successful step count
• units: steps or successful movements
• trial number: trial 1, trial 2, trial 3 and best score
• rest time between trials
• surface type
• footwear
• direction started
• pain score before, during and after
• symptoms reported
• confidence rating if relevant
• fatigue level
• movement quality notes
• invalid trials and reason
• compensations such as foot crossing, trunk lean, loss of balance or hesitation
• comparison with previous baseline
• related findings such as hop, balance, strength or ROM results
• planned retest date

A useful note might read:

“Edgren Side Step Test, 15 sec, 4 m line with 1 m markers. Best of 3 trials = 28 successful steps. Indoor rubber surface, same footwear as baseline. Mild right ankle discomfort 2/10 during final trial. No foot crossing. Slight hesitation changing direction to the right. Retest in 3 weeks.”

Related Tests / Internal Links

Suggested related Measurz links:

• 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
• Lower-limb strength testing

FAQs

What does the Edgren Side Step Test measure?

It measures planned lateral stepping speed, coordination, rhythm and side-to-side movement control.

How long does the Edgren Side Step Test take?

The Measurz/MAT protocol uses a 15-second test period, three trials and approximately 30 seconds of rest between trials.

Is the Edgren Side Step Test diagnostic?

No. It can support assessment and progress tracking, but it does not diagnose an injury or condition on its own.

What is a good Edgren Side Step Test score?

There is no universal score for all clients. Use the client’s baseline, repeated measures and activity demands. The closest published benchmark found was a 10-second, 4 m ESST in young active male servicemembers, but that should not be directly applied to the 15-second Measurz/MAT version.  

Can I compare the 10-second and 15-second versions?

Not directly. The test duration and scoring method affect the result. Keep the same version for baseline and retesting.

Key Takeaways

The Edgren Side Step Test is a simple and practical lateral agility test.

Use the same course, timing, surface, footwear and scoring rules every time.

The Measurz/MAT version uses a 15-second test period and the best score from three trials.

Published benchmark evidence mostly uses different 10-second or modified versions, so apply it cautiously.

Interpret the result with pain, symptoms, confidence, movement quality and related tests.

References

Edgren, H. D. (1932). An experiment in the testing of ability and progress in basketball. Research Quarterly, 3(1), 159–171.

Raya, M. A., Gailey, R. S., Gaunaurd, I. A., Jayne, D. M., Campbell, S. M., Gagne, E., Manrique, P. G., Muller, D. G., & Tucker, C. (2013). Comparison of three agility tests with male servicemembers: Edgren Side Step Test, T-Test, and Illinois Agility Test. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 50(7), 951–960. https://doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2012.05.0096 

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.

Wilshaw, W. R., Stevens, A. M., Anderson, A. M., & Tulchin-Francis, K. (2020). Validation of accelerometry data to identify movement patterns during agility testing. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 2, 563809. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2020.563809