Chapter 9 - Assessment of Fitness Flashcards
(35 cards)
What are aims of Fitness Assessment/Protocols?
- Determining fitness component strengths and weaknesses
- Establishing a baseline -creating a benchmark to make comparisons with future test results
- Improving Motivation
- Determining Team Positions
- Predicting the potential of future performers
- Assessing cardiovascular risk factors
- Selection Criteria - can form part of slecetion criteria for employment
Fitness Assessment/Testing Protocols
- Validity
- Reliability
- Accuracy
- Informed Consent
Informed Consent
The participant completing the test must be informed of what the test is about, including the method and potential risks and benefits, and give consent to undergo the testing.
What is the fitness training program feedback loop
1 - Needs analysis identifies relevant fitness components 2 - Fitness Test (pre test) 3- Exercise Prescription 4 - Exercise Program 5 - Fitness Test (post test) 6 - Evaluation
Validity
This refers to whether the test actually measures what it claims to measure. For example, the 20-metre shuttle run test (beep test) is an accurate measure of aerobic capacity, whereas a singular 20-metre sprint is not.
Reliability
This refers to whether a test produces consistent results. To help ensure reliability, pre and post tests should be done at the same time of day, in the same environment with the same levels of physical activity undertaken beforehand.
Accuracy
Refers to how accurately the results of a test are actually measured. To increase accuracy, high-tech equipment such as timing gates can be used, rather than handheld stopwatches. However, this equipment is expensive.
Types of Fitness Assessment
- Laboratory vs Field Testing
- Maximal vs Sub Maximal Testing
- Direct vs Indirect Testing
Laboratory Testing
- Tests are done in a lab setting
- Usually only used by elite athletes
- Involves high-tech equipment and are therefore usually expensive
- Can be extremely accurate
- Example – VO2 maximum test
Field Testing
- Tests are done in the ‘field’ (e.g. at a school or local sporting club)
- Can test large groups at once
- Aren’t as accurate as lab tests
- Commonly used
- Example – 20-metre shuttle run test (beep test
Maximal Testing
- Tests are done to the point of exhaustion (or as close as possible)
- Can be done in the field or the lab
- Examples – VO2 max test and beep test
Submaximal Testing
- Tests aren’t done to the point of exhaustion
- Tests are done to a certain intensity – which is then used to predict final result
- Example – Cycle Ergometer test. Participants cycle with increasing difficulty until their heart rate reaches 170 bpm. From this their VO2 max is predicted (very accurately).
Direct Test
- Directly measures a fitness component
- For example, a VO2 max test directly measures a person’s aerobic capacity, as it analyses the amount of oxygen they breathe in and out
- Are extremely accurate
- Are usually done in a lab and are therefore expensive and only performed by elite athletes
Indirect Tests
- Gives a prediction of a fitness component
- For example, the 20-metre shuttle run test (beep test) predicts a person’s aerobic capacity, but does not measure it directly
- Results are compared to normative data to give a prediction
- Often field tests that are easy to administer
What factors should you consider when commencing fitness assessment/testing?
- Specificity
- Results Comparison
- Sequencing
- Resourcing
Specificity
The test needs to be relevant to your sport. For example, there is no point doing a 50m sprint speed test if you are analysing and training for basketball or netball. It would be better to perform a 10 or 15 minute sprint test.
Results Comparison
For training programs, comparison is done pre and post-test. Results can also be compared with norms.
Sequencing
Obviously, it is best to avoid performing two maximal fitness tests in a row, as the first one could cause fatigue that affects the result of the second test.
Resourcing
Resources for the chosen tests need to be available.
The 4 Aerobic Capacity Tests
- VO2 Maximum Tests
- 20 Metre Shuttle Run Test
- Cooper’s 12-Minute Run
- Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test
VO2 Maximum Tests
Done in a lab, directly measures aerobic capacity. Expensive, only used by elite athletes.
20 Metre Shuttle Run Test
Commonly known as the beep test. Is performed in the field and can be used by large groups. Commonly used in schools and at local sporting clubs. Can be used to predict VO2 max and therefore aerobic capacity.
Cooper’s 12-Minute Run
Participants run as far as they can in 12 minutes. VO2 max is then predicted using a formula involving number of kilometres run.
Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test
Becoming more and more popular in Australia. Was designed for soccer but can be used for other sports like AFL. It involves a change of pace (a recovery jog and then a faster run) during the test.
