KRS 489 Chapter 13

What are the two key criteria for quality testing?

Validity and reliability

What does validity mean?

The test accurately measures its intended attribute

What does reliability mean?

Consistency or repeatability of measurement

Why is testing used with athletes?

To assess abilities and identify areas needing improvement

How can test scores help with goal setting?

They provide benchmarks for athletes to aim for

What is talent identification?

Using field tests to assess an athlete's potential for competitive sport

Why are normative data important?

They help determine and compare expected test performance

Why monitor acute and chronic fatigue?

To manage training and injury risk while promoting health and performance

What sources help ensure testing is evidence-based?

Peer-reviewed journals, textbooks/databases, and professional organizations

What are examples of peer-reviewed evidence sources?

Meta-analyses and systematic reviews

What is construct validity?

How well a test represents the underlying construct it is designed to measure

What are the four main types of validity?

Construct, face, content, and criterion validity

What is convergent validity?

High correlation with a recognized gold-standard test

What is discriminant validity?

Low correlation with tests measuring a different construct

What is face validity?

The appearance that a test measures what it claims to measure

What is content validity?

Experts judge whether a test covers relevant abilities appropriately

How does face validity differ from content validity?

Face is appearance to nonexperts

What is criterion validity?

Association between test scores and another measure of the same ability

What are the two types of criterion validity?

Concurrent and predictive validity

What is concurrent validity?

Association with accepted tests measuring the same ability

What is predictive validity?

How well a test score corresponds with future performance

Why must a test be reliable to be valid?

Highly variable results have little meaning

Can a reliable test still lack validity?

Yes, it may consistently measure the wrong thing

What is test-retest reliability?

Consistency of scores across two test administrations

What statistic can measure test-retest reliability?

Intraclass-correlation coefficient

What does a difference between test scores represent?

Measurement error

What is typical error of measurement (TE)?

Equipment error plus biological variation

What is intrasubject variability?

Inconsistent performance by the person being tested

What is interrater reliability?

Agreement among different raters on test results

What is intrarater variability?

Inconsistent scores from the same tester

What can cause differences between two sets of test scores?

Subject variability, rater issues, or inconsistent test results

What factors should influence test selection?

Sport specificity, experience, training status, age, and environment

Why categorize exercises when selecting tests?

To create a comprehensive testing battery

What dimensions are used to classify exercises?

Movement, muscles, energy systems, and skill complexity

What does sport specificity mean in test selection?

The test should simulate the sport's movements and energy demands

What should a valid sport-specific test emulate?

The energy requirements of the sport

Why should tests resemble important sport movements?

Greater similarity improves sport specificity

When is a technique-intensive test appropriate?

For a well-trained, experienced athlete

Why may technique-intensive tests be inappropriate for beginners?

Poor technique may impair test performance

Why must training status be considered?

Athletes differ in experience and ability to perform techniques

How can age affect testing?

It can affect test validity and reliability

How can sex affect testing?

It can affect test validity and reliability

Why must the testing environment be considered?

Environmental conditions can influence performance

What environmental factors can affect test performance?

Temperature, humidity, and altitude

How should environmental conditions be handled?

Standardize them as much as possible

Why must tests be administered safely and correctly?

To obtain accurate test results

What should happen before athletes physically train or compete?

They should receive medical clearance

When may medical referral be warranted?

When an athlete persistently has concerning symptoms

What should test administrators know?

All testing procedures and protocols thoroughly

Why do testers need practice?

To produce scores comparable to experienced personnel

How should testers administer tests?

As consistently as possible

What should administrators prepare before testing?

A materials checklist and written protocols

When should scoring forms be developed?

Before the testing session

What should scoring forms include?

Space for results and comments

Why should athletes know testing procedures?

Awareness enhances test reliability

How many nonfatiguing tests can be administered sequentially?

Up to two, if reliability can be maintained

How much rest is needed between nonmaximal attempts?

At least 2 minutes

How much rest is needed between near-maximal attempts?

At least 3 minutes

How far apart should tests in a battery be?

At least 5 minutes

What is the recommended test sequence?

Nonfatiguing, agility, power/strength, sprint, muscular endurance, anaerobic capacity, aerobic capacity

Why allow complete recovery between trials?

To maintain accurate and reliable results

Why test at the same time of day?

To reduce effects of circadian rhythm

Why are indoor testing environments preferred?

They provide more consistent climate and surfaces

What should athletes know before a test battery?

The date, time, and purpose

When should familiarization occur?

1–3 days before testing

What should test instructions include?

Purpose, procedure, warm-up, practice, trials, scoring, invalid attempts, and performance tips

How should test instructions be delivered?

Clearly and concisely

How can warm-ups affect testing?

General and specific warm-ups can increase reliability

What is the first step in the testing process shown in Fig. 13.1?

Identify an important performance problem or question

What is the second step in Fig. 13.1?

Choose an evidence-based test and metric

What is the third step in Fig. 13.1?

Formulate a hypothesis

What is the fourth step in Fig. 13.1?

Implement an intervention

What is the fifth step in Fig. 13.1?

Test again and evaluate the hypothesis