testing and monitoring

sport science

use of biology to understand and develop sport performance

• not the same as exercise physiology

exercise science

research focused

sport science

application focused

why we test

to understand and develop sport performance

research

attempt to generalize

• gain knowledge for populations

• supports evidence-based practices

monitoring

attempt to customize

• gain knowledge intended for athletes and coaches

• supports informed decision making

long term monitoring

• talent identification

• adaptation

• goal setting

• identify fitness qualities that need improvement

long term tests

• may be time consuming, invasive, or more fatiguing

• may require sufficient rest for athletes

• battery must be accounted for in overall training load

  • replaces some training, practice, or conditioning

short term monitoring

• fatigue management

• injury risk

• preparedness

• unexpected performance decrements

• recovery

• adaptation

• goal setting

• identify fitness qualities that need improvement

short term tests

• rapid

• non-fatiguing

• non-invasive

• integrated with daily/weekly schedule of athlete

test selection

• what’s available

• what’s necessary

• time to test

• test correlation to actual performance

testing in annual plan

• frequency

• testing volume

• interpret results in context of expected training outcomes

• adjust plan based on testing outcomes

benefits of using a model/test

• frequency

• time and fatigue

• reduced variability

• sensitivity and reliability

• less invasive?

• less familiar → reliance on technique

cons to using a model/test

less specific

isometric mid thigh pull variables

1. isometric peak force and impulse

2. rate of force development

isometric peak force and impulse

• strong positive correlations to sport performance and dynamic strength measures

rate of force development

0-250 ms

• substantially influences impulse at critical time periods

• sensitive to fatigue, tissue damage, and longitudinal changes in strength and power

increase in RFD =

• power training

• reduced fatigue

• taper/training vol reduction

• increased strength

peak force

• basic strength

• greater capacity for development of other athletic properties like explosiveness

• relatively stable short term

max strength is related to

• higher velocities and power output at submax load

• RFD

• better muscle synchronization - ballistic movements

• better at developing and responding to SSC

• more peak and ave power

• better absolute endurance

• better postural strength

• better at modulating force production

weak/most collegiate athletes

• strength training alone is = to or better that power training for improving explosiveness

combined training =

• increases in RFD and strength

• periodized annual plan

jump height is associated with

• changes in strength and related variables

• fatigue and training strain

• sport performance

  • sprinting

  • COD

  • agility

  • various sport specific tests

testing order

1. non-fatiguing

2. agility

3. max power and strength

4. sprint

5. local muscular endurance

6. fatiguing anaerobic capacity

7. aerobic capacity

rest periods

based on energy system being taxed

• phosphagen : ATP-CP 3-5 mins

• lactic acid : up to 40s, 200-400m sprints - 1 hour

strength and aerobic tests

schedule on different days if possible or

• strength-power first

• >1hr recovery before aerobic testing