U4 VCE PE FITNESS TESTING

purpose of fitness assessment, pre-participation health screening and informed consent, fitness test selection considerations - protocols, types of fitness assessment

whats a fitness testing battery

variety of diff tests selected to assess multiple fitness components for an individual.

• resourcing affects this eg facilities, equipment, availability of staff

normative vs criterion referenced results

norm

• results based on population groups. Usually percentiles where performer result is compared to the population group.

  • if u score 80th percentile u achieved a result better tahn 80% of the group, 20% achieved higher result

• elite talent uses norms based on combined draft result like AFL which is irrelevant for general population

• people who are active would care about norm results

• some tests lack normative data cause not many people do the test, coachs will make their own data

criterion referenced results

• results not from population groups, they are an identified acceptable standard/parameter. Used to identify level of fitness appropriate for health promotion.

  • eg. BMI, waist circumference

purpose of fitness assessment considerations (from textbook)

determining fitness component strength & weaknesses

• results compared to normative or criterion referenced results

establish baseline

• pre,post testing results. If little achievement in result then coach can reassess program

  • little achievement due to → insufficient time between tests, inappropriate exercise prescription, failure to adhere to exercise prescription,

modify training program

• slow improvement, modify program

mental toughness

• maximal test such as vo2 max test, phosphate recovery test need mental toughness to not slow down, demonstrates psychological strength

motivation

• conscientious doing program and have goal which is motivator. Inc. confidence and motivation

determining team position

• based on fitness test results

predicting future potential

• help predict future physiological potential for talent identification

selection criteria

• forms part of selection criteria for employment eg police

pre-program → baseline, strength & weakness

during program → effectiveness of program

post-program → effectiveness, review team

physiological, psychological, sociocultural considerations

physiological

• the demands of the sport (does the fitness test mimic whats required), skills & ability of performer (are they normal, old or an athlete and capable), fitness levels,

psychological

• motivation cause goals from sporty ppl, mental toughness of elite athlete, self-efficacy, confidence, whether they want to know their strengths & weaknesses

sociocultural

• peers (could be motivation), resources & equipment (can they do lab or field testing)

pre-exercise screening questionnaires

done prior fitness testing to determine readiness for fitness testing/program. Often used for those with previous/known health conditions.

done to ensure the participant is adequately fit for physical activity and wont sustain or cause further injuries.

• Physical activity readiness questionnaire (PAR-Q)

  • say yes to any qs need to go to GP

informed consent process

done prior to fitness testing to protect interests of both athlete and test administrator. It explains the nature and purpose of the test and any risks involved. Also done for law protection

• need to give opportunity to ask questions

• should be aware they can withdraw their consent anytime

• explain what test theyre doing, purpose, data used for what

• potential risks and what benefits

• confidentiality

protocols test should demonstrate

• reliability

• validity

• accuracy

• specificity

• result comparison (relevant norm availability)

what is reliability

relates to the results of the test producing consistent results when performed multiple times. It is reliable if can replicate whole process pre & post test and results are similar/same. participant should be variable thats changing.

external factors impact reliability, thus to inc reliability, conduct test:

• same time of day, weather, warm up, testing in the same order prioritising atp-cp tests first to minimise fatigue(dont do 2 max tests same day), avoid same day, same nutrition & hydration, same equipment, same test

what is validity

relates to test ability to measure what it claims to test.

• eg. vo2 max treadmill test aerobic power but has muscular endurance involved but does not measure that.

• eg. an aerobic power test needs to be valid by having a duration that allows to test capacity of the aerobic energy system

many lab tests are known as gold standard tests eg vo2 max test.

• this makes field tests validated/compared to gold standard tests (lab tests)

what is accuracy

relates to how close the value obtained from testing is true or correct result.

• field testing can be inaccurate compared to elite testing in labs but thats expensive.

• eg if performer does not make line twice in a row in 20m SRT, they should be removed but if not then diff results are obtained and dec. accuracy

to inc. accuracy

• calibrate equipment or use highly accuracte equipment (sometimes not affordable eg timing gates)

• follow the procedure & inc. participant understanding of the test

• rule out the same markings, use the same testers timing or highly trained

what is specificity

relates to testing being specific to the requirements established in an activity analysis.

• eg. its not specific to do a 50m sprint test for a netballer who only sprints 10-20m or doing a vo2max test on a bicycle instead of a treadmill for a long distance runner

• should be specific to age and ability of participant

lab vs field testing

lab usually for elite performers due to highest accuracy and can perform gold standard tests readily available.

• expensive

field testing is functional, more accessible, more people tested at once and accurate if protocols r followed (reliability, accuracy etc)

maximal vs submaximal testing

maximal test → performed to exhaustion.

• Usually lab tests eg vo2max, wingate anaerobic test.

• Field test eg 20msrt is maximal test but wont be if athlete stop before pushing themselves to reach max result

submaximal test → not performed to exhaustion.

• rockport 1.6km walking test → vo2 max predicted based on completion time and heart rate

many tests for each fitness component → easy to administer, minimal equipment, has norms for most

different fitness tests for fitness components

(no coordination, balance)

aerobic power

• vo2 max, 20mSRT, cooper 12min run, rockport 1.6km walking, astrand rhyming cycle ergometer, yoyo intermittent recovery tests

anaerobic capacity

• phosphate recovery, 30s wingate, repco peak power tests

muscular strength

• handgrip dynamometer strength, 1rm bench press, 1rm back squat, 1rm leg press, 7stage abdominal strength tests

muscular endurance

• 30s sit up, maximal pushup 60s, flexed arm hang tests

flexibility

• modified sit and reach, shoulder and wrist elevation, ankle (dorsi) flexion tests

muscular power speed

• vertical jump, standing long jump, seated basketball throw tests

speed

• 20m, 30m, 50m sprint tests

agility

• illinois agility, SEMO, 505 agility tests

absolute vs relative vo2

absolute vo2max → measured in Litres per min (L/min), identifies the amount of o2 consumed, irrespective of body weight.

• does not allow for comparisons

relative vo2max → measured in millilitres of o2 per kg of body weight per min (mL/kg/min)

• body weight taken into account to make comparisons between athletes

aerobic power test - vo2max test (add stuff from voice msg)

can be done on treadmill, bicycle/rowing ergometer, swimming plume.

perform to exhaustion where gas analysis machine determines precise amount of o2 intake, transport, use (vo2max).

• u test for vo2 amx which is to predict aerobic power. This is the gold standard

adv of vo2 max test

• precise measurement of vo2max

• maxHR established, and can predict LIP

• training programs using hr training zones can be accurately tailored as vo2max test accurately set the limit of the zone.

disadv of vo2 max test

• need a lab and trained prof to perform test

• time & labour intensive → only 1 person at a time

• expensive, limited venues

• usually only elite performers do it for precise info.

aerobic power test - 20mSRT

aka beep test, multi-stage fitness test. Is a field based test, involves running 20m back and forth in time with beeps. Test gradually shortens time between beats, inc. intensity to run 20m.

• indirect test → need to convert the level into predicted vo2max which represents predicted aerobic power

adv of 20msrt

• correlation with vo2max test is high

• test inc. work rate every min, by dec. time between beeps compelling participant to keep up w the intensity → eliminates need for pacing eg cooper 12min run. Also allows ppl less aerobically fit to discontinue

• many ppl can do it same time, cost effective compared to vo2max test lab

disadv of 20msrt

• yoyo intermittent recovery test preferred cause replicates intermittent sport demands

• dec. accuracy and reliability if ppl dont make it to the mark

aerobic power test - cooper 12min run

Involves running as far as possible in 12mins, further u run higher aerobic power.

adv of cooper 12min run

• cost effective, should be done on 400m track measured w 20m intervals

disadv of cooper 12min run

• need to be running highest intensity to ensure reliability of test → make it difficult

aerobic power test - astrand-rhyming cycle ergometer

submaximal test (adv) involving participant to pedal on cycle ergometer for 6mins at a constant workload to maintain steady state HR (125-170bpm).

• based on HR, workload and aerobic power

disadv

• hard to get normative data, only favourable for ppl with cycling background

aerobic power test - yoyo intermittent recovery test lvl 1 & 2

A field test that resembles intermittent demands of sports, involving ability to perform repeated high intensity activity relying on combo of both aerobic and anaerobic energy supply.

• 2 variations → recovery (involving running 20m and active recovery of 10s to walk/jog 5m) and endurance (involving running 20m and active recovery of 5s 2.5m)

• 2 levels → lvl 1 for recreational performers starting at 10km per hour, lvl 2 for elite performers at 13km per hour

cant make the pace for 2 trials it finishes, 1st time its warning 2nd its withdraw.

anaerobic capacity test reasons

done for 2 purposes

• recovery period involved between reps EG phosphate recovery test → measure ATP-CP system to replenish CP for next rep

• no recovery period EG 30s wingate test → measure ability of 2 ana systems to supply high intensity energy over short period.

anaerobic capacity test - phosphate recovery test

used to challenge ability of body to replenish high energy phosphates in between rep of test. Good for AFL, netball, basketball, tennis.

• 2 versions → 25m course 8repx5secs, start 30s 1:5W:R.

• or 8repx7secs, 1:3.3 W:R

involves participant to sprint 25m against no cones to reach the second 25m with 10cones in 5or7secs. The cone number passed is the score, then participant gets 25or23 second recovery to reach the next start next rep but on the other set of cones. Done for 8 reps total.

anaerobic capacity tests - 30s wingate test and repco peak power test

30s wingate test

• maximal lab test. Where participant pedals a mechanically braked bicycle ergometer maximally for 30s.

repco peak power test

• needs a repco front-access cycle ergometer. Assess maximal power generated and maintained for 10s.

muscular strength test - handgrip dynamometer strength

Stand upright arms at side holding dynamometer parallel to side, person squeezes it hard as possible without moving their arm. 3 trials, 1min rest between.

Done for grip strength

• good for gymnastics, tennis, rock climbing, weightlifting , rugby for holding

muscular strength tests - 1RM bench press, back squat, leg press tests

Assess maximal strength of upper body and leg strength.

• good for powerlifting, weightlifting,

1. Do warm up with lower weight many reps.

2. start with weight 5-70% of subject capacity

3. gradually inc. weight between 2/5 and 20kg until cant do it. DO same movement speed and range of motion. Do 4 trials with rest period 3-5min between

4. result is weight lifted divided by body weight

muscular strength test - 7 stage abdominal strength test

assess abdominal strength. Good for wrestling, gymnastics, surfing.

1. lie on back knees right angle feet flat.

2. do one sit up from each level, completed without feet leaving floor.

3. u need weights for lvl 6 and 7 2.5kg and 5kg

muscular endurance tests - 30s sit up test, maximal push ups in 60s and flexed-arm hang test

30s sit up test

• lie on mat knees bent right angle, arm straight finger flat. Partner put forearm on person knee and count number of situps when persons hands go to top of thighs and touchers forearm of partner. Withdraw if cant do 2 situps at required rate

maximal push up in 60s

• assess upper body muscular strength and endurance for each push up

both test core muscles, good for football needing core muscle endurance for stability when tackling, gymnastics

flexed arm hang test

• alternative to pull up test.

• Chin need to be above bar but not touching and arms are flexed chest close to the bar and time it.

flexibility tests - modified sit & reach test, shoulder & wrist elevation, ankle (dorsi) flexion test

all good for gymnastics

modified sit & reach test

• measures hip and trunk flexibility

• use the sit and reach box

shoulder & wrist elevation

• lie prone on floor arms fully extended overhead with wooden rod and raise it high as possible chin on floor.

ankle (dorsi) flexion test

• stand facing wall heels flat while leaning into the wall - hands chin chest touch wall. Put distance between wall and heels while still touching the wall

muscular power tests - vertical jump, standing long jump, seated basketball throw

all for explosive movements

vertical jump → basketball, volleyball, high jump, afl

• maximally jump high as possible and make chalk mark with extended arm on the measured wall or vert jump pole

• diff variations for diff sports eg volleyball is two hand then one hand, basketball one step prior to jump, afl do a run up

standing long jump → long jump, triple jump

• stand behind a line non slip surface and jump far as u can two footed take off and measure distance

seated basketball throw → any explosive throws eg ball in netball, shot put, javelin

• assess upper body muscular power, not many norms.

• sit back against wall and throw basketball chest pass far as possible

speed tests - 20m,35m,50m sprint tests

for whole body or part body speed to cover set distance (whole body).

reliability issue when timing it with handheld stopwatch thus timing gates are used to inc. reliability but expensive.

20m,35m,50m sprint → good for many sports eg 20m for netball bc of court size

• lack norms for shorter sprints such as 10 and 20m, only elite performers would do it.

agility tests - illinois agility, SEMO agility, 5-0-5 agility tests

illinois

• lie behind start line hand near shoulder head behind line, on ‘go’ jump and run through the cones and touch end lines, measure time taken.

• course → run straight turn and run then go weave through 4 cones twice then run straight turn then go to finish.

SEMO

• measures manoeuvring forward, backward and sideways

• sidestep from a-b go around corner then run backwards from b-d then sprint d-a then backpedal a-c then sprint c-b (all look like an x) then sidestep b-a.

505

• sprint 15m to turning point then turn around and sprint back past 5m marker. record time when participant passes 5m marker on way to turning point until they pass 5m marker no the way back.