1. Fitness Assessment #3

2. What you need to know.. Reasons for fitness testing
Criteria for selecting fitness tests
Norm and criterion referenced standards
Pre-test procedures
Fitness tests
How to develop a fitness test battery

3. Introduction
Fitness assessment/fitness testing measures an individuals physiological responses to exercise in a controlled environment
Fitness levels can be assessed in the different fitness components using specific tests

4. Reasons for fitness testing (rationale)
Identifying specific attributes
May help coach/athlete to choose sport/event/position
Identifying strengths and weaknesses
Helps to design an individuals training program
Monitoring progress
Regular fitness testing needed to assess effectiveness of training program
Providing motivation and incentive
- Helps to continue training and strive for improvement

5. Questions
Identify three reasons for testing the fitness of athletes?

6. Criteria for selecting Fitness Testing
There are many tests available to assess each fitness components
It is important to select tests carefully and the following criteria can be used
Relevance and specificity
Validity and reliability
Interpretable and comparable results

7. Criteria for selecting Fitness Testing (cont..)
Relevance and specificity
Relevant and specific to the sport/activity
Look closely at
Energy systems
Fitness components
Major muscles

8. Criteria for selecting Fitness Testing (cont..)
Validity and reliability
Valid: it must measure what it claims to assess
Reliable: if repeated it must be able to show consistent accurate results

9. Criteria for selecting Fitness Testing (cont..)
Interpretable and comparable results
The athlete should receive information about:
What the results represent (good, average, poor performance)
How the results compare with previous results
How the results compare to those of other athletes in the same age, sport
The consequences and implications of the results (what to train, how to train)

10. Fitness Test Batteries
“A selection of tests that have been grouped to provide a comprehensive fitness profile”

11. Norm and Criterion Referenced Standards
Norm referenced standards
Standards that are considered to be statistically normal or typical for a particular group
Tables of norm referenced standards (based on percentiles) allow comparison between the subject and other athletes
Criterion referenced fitness standards
Do not provide ratings, rather they indicate the base (minimal) standard that should be achieved
Comparison with others is discouraged

12. Pre Test Procedures
The individual is fully informed about and familiar with the procedures and format of the test(s)
No food is consumed within 2 hours of testing
Wearing appropriate footwear and clothing
Avoided heavy or intense exercise the day before testing
Have given consent and obtained appropriate medical clearances

13. Why post test??

14. Testing the components of fitness
Aerobic power
VO2 Max (maximal lab test)
Harvard Step Test
Cooper’s 12 minute run
Multistage 20m shuttle run
Anaerobic Power/speed
Phosphate recovery test
Repco peak power
400m run
Sprints 15, 40, 55m

15. Difference between lab and field tests
Lab tests are preferred for elite athletes
They provide the most accurate results
The are often expensive and require sophisticated equipment and considerable amount of time
Field Tests are easy to complete
Inexpensive
Not as precise as lab tests
Provide accurate predictions of fitness levels

16. Testing the components of fitness (cont..)
Muscular strength
Grip strength
1 RM
Local Muscular Endurance
Timed sit ups
Timed push ups
Muscular Power
Vertical jump
Basketball throw

17. Testing the components of fitness (cont..)
Agility
Semo agility
Illinois agility
Flexibility
Modified sit and reach
Shoulder elevation
Body composition
BMI
Skinfold measurement

18. Questions
What are some ways that test administrators can ensure that tests have been administered in a reliable manner?

19. Developing a fitness test battery - basketball
What fitness components are important?
What energy systems are predominant?
So, which fitness tests should be chosen?