Background+Reading+6

=The measurement and assessment of fitness=

Why do we want to test athletes?

We want to: 1, Enhance motivation, and predict/assess the value of training programmes on a group of individuals 2. Identify strengths, weaknesses and identify potential talent 3. Have data for monitoring performance and to justify why we train 4. Can be used to identify overtraining syndrome 5. Can be use to show comparisons between groups of athletes or to compare athletes to the elite

//Validity and Reliability of the Test//

The test has to be **valid**. It has to measure exactly what it sets out to do. The validity of a test can be improved if the test is sport specific. This means that the sport specific motions are combined within the testing environment, so that the test accurately resembles what occurs within the sport.

Does the test accurately resemble the environment of the sporting activity. Should we use a multi-stage fitness test to measure the VO2 max rate of a long distance cycler? Surely the test ought to be carried out on a cycle.

Reliability also looks at the standardisation of tests, the standardisation of testing equipment and the sequencing of the test.
 * Reliability** looks at how accurate the test results are, and whether it is possible to get same or similar results during a retest.


 * Testing environment and athlete motivation**. Many things can affect this, particularly when looking at Athletes motivation to complete sub-maximal tests. Their present training regime, the ability of the athlete to push themselves and the lack of strain and duress of maximal tests can have an effect on the results. You also have to minimise the effect of human error on the testing environment, both of the test operator and the participant through repeating the test several times.


 * Safety, standardised testing procedures, and result interpretation.** All of these ensure that any tests conducted are valid and reliable.

Below is an example of a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) that can be given to participants to assess their suitability to undertake a program of Physical Activity.



Below is a recap of MAXIMAL and SUBMAXIMAL exercise (source)



When planning fitness tests, 1. Ensure that the variables tested are relevant to that sport 2. Ensure the reliability and validity 3. Ensure testing administration and protocol are adhered to 4. Ensure that all tests are safe 5. Ensure that the results are interpreted correctly

What are differences between males and females that may need to be considered when carrying out fitness testing

Variables with little or no difference:
 * Females compared to males || Effect upon athletic performance ||
 * Smaller skeletal structure. shorter limbs, narrower shoulders, broader pelvis || Lower muscular strength and power ||
 * Less Muscle mass || More weight to carry that is not metabolically active. Reduced strength and power ||
 * More body fat || Increase in non-functional weight using up oxygen during exercise ||
 * Smaller heart || Lower cardiac output and stroke volume. reduced oxygen delivery to the muscle ||
 * Lower blood hemoglobin level || reduced oxygen transport ||
 * Smaller lung capacity || Less oxygen entering the body ||
 * Lower VO2max || Lower aerobic capacity and reduced endurance performance ||

Distribution of fibre types Lactate threshold when measured as a percentage of VO2max Metabolic capacity per gram of muscle Relative improvement in aerobic and anaerobic capacity and muscle strength following training.

Elite Athlete testing

The following are suitable as tests for elite athletes. The links for each test are provided for your reference

//The anaerobic capacity test (Wingate cycle test)// []

OBLA Test (Onset of Blood Lactate Accumulation) []

Maximum oxygen uptake test (V02max test) []