Ch13 pt 1 principles of test selection and administration

what are the main reasons for testing athletes

assess athletic talent, identify physical abilities in need of improvement, set goals, evaluate progress

what is a test

a procedure for assessing ability in a particular endeavor

what is a field test

a test used to assess ability that is performed away from the laboratory and does not require extensive training or expensive equipment

what is a measurement

process of collecting test data

what is an evaluation

process of analyzing test results for the purpose of making decisions

what is a mid-test

test administered one or more times during the training period to assess progress and modify the program as needed to maximize benefit

what is a formative evaluation

periodic reevaluation based on mid-tests administered during training, usually at regular intervals

what are post-test

test administered after training period to determine the success of the training program in achieving training objectives

what are the 2 key criteria for evaluating test quality

validity and reliability

what does reliability tell us about a test

whether the test produces consistency in measurements across multiple instances

can a test be reliable not valid

yes

for a test to provide meaningful benefits what must meet acceptable standards

reliability and validity

what is validity

the degree to which a test or test item measures what it is supposed to measure

what is construct validity

ability of a test to represent the underlying construct

what is an example of construct validity

vertical jump measuring power

what is face validity

the test appears to measure what it claims to measure

what is an example of face validity

an athlete identifying that the back squat 1RM test is being used to test her max lower body strength

what is concurrent validity

extend to which test scores agree with accepted tests measuring the same ability

what is an example of concurrent validity

comparing new body comp method with a DEXA scan

what is reliability

degree of consistency or repeatability of a test

why can a test’s reliability differ between groups

differences in physical or emotional maturity and skill level

why must a test be reliable to be valid

highly variable results have little meaning

even a reliable test may not be valid because

test may not measure what it is supposed to

what are the measurement error factors

intrasubject variability, lack of interrater reliability or agreement, intrarater variability, failure of test itself to provide consistent results

what is intrasubject variability

variability within the same subject

what is lack of interrater reliability or agreement

disagreement between two different raters/coaches

what is intrarater variability

inconsistency with the same rater/coach

for a test to be valid what should it emulate

energy requirements and important movements of the sport for which ability is being tested

what is metabolic energy system specificity in test selection

matching the test to the sport’s phosphagen, glycolytic, and oxidative demands

what is biomechanical movement pattern specificity

test should resemble an important movement used in the sport

what should be considered for experience and training status

technique, level of strength, and endurance training

why should age and sex be considered when selecting tests

may affect an athlete’s experience, interest, and ability

what environmental factors should be considered during testing

temperature, altitude, humidity

what are the five major factors in test selection

metabolic energy system, movement pattern, experience and training status, age and sex, environmental factors

what testing conditions can threaten an athlete’s health

high heat and humidity

all athletes should get what before testing and competing

medically cleared

when should an athlete’s health status be monitored during maximal testing

before, during, and after

How long should athletes acclimatize to heat and humidity before testing?

t least 1 week.

How should athletes prepare their hydration before testing in the heat

Be well hydrated during the preceding 24 hours

what are signs of heatstroke or heat exhaustion

cramps, nausea, dizziness, faintness, lack of sweat, goose bumps

what is hyponatremia

low blood sodium levels

what are symptoms of hyponatremia

dilute urine, bloated skin, no increase in body temp

what should be done when selecting and training testers

give testers with practice and training, ensure consistency

why should scoring forms be prepared ahead of time

increase efficiency and reduce recording errors

what should be considered when choosing the test format

whether athletes will be tested together or in groups, same tester should do all athletes, one test at a time

what is the proper order for administering tests

non-fatiging tests, agility tests, maximum power and strength tests

the order of tests should be designed in such a way that the completion of one test does not

adversely affect performance in subsequent tests

when preparing athletes for testing you should announce what in advance

date, time, and purpose of test battery

what should athletes participate in before the actual testing day

pretest practice session

what type of instructions should athletes receive before testing

clear and simple

what should the tester demonstrate before testing

proper test performance

what should athletes complete immediately before testing

organized pretest warm-up

when should athletes be told their test scores

after each trial

what should athletes complete after testing

supervised cool-down period