Maximum performance, repeatability, and intraindividual variability of sprinting in common wall lizards (Podarcis muralis)

The repeatability of functional traits like physiological maxima (maximum performance) measures the reliability of underlying measurements. However, best practices for analyzing maximal performance while accounting for within-individual variation are lacking. Here, we quantify the coefficient of variation and repeatability of maximum sprinting speed in common wall lizards (Podarcis muralis) from Cincinnati, USA. We use insights from experimental data and bootstrap resampling to discuss strategies for analyzing physiological maxima while accounting for within-individual variation. Relative to assuming greater among- than within-individual variation, the proposals exhibit greater precision in parameter estimates and statistical test results, with increased power.