Fitness Testing Learning Objectives: To understand what factors influence how meaningful fitness test results are.

Discuss: Why are fitness tests important? There are several reasons for fitness testing, including; Starting point for training programme. Comparison with other athletes. To gain an understanding of the effectiveness of training programmes. Motivation for training. Adds variety to training sessions.

Types of Fitness Tests Maximal Tests Performer works to maximum effort/exhaustion E.g. multi-stage fitness test Advantages: more accurate as it measures limit of fatigue. Disadvantages: difficulty in ensuring maximal effort is given, health/injury dangers, result largely dependant on motivation levels. Sub-Maximal Tests Performer works but not to exhaustion. Results compared to tables to estimate maximal score. Less accurate results – only an estimate.

Discuss: What are the problems and ethical considerations associated with fitness testing: Some tests can cause fatigue which may affect performer’s preparation or interfere with training. Some tests could cause fatigue or injury thus affecting competitive performance. Knowledge of test results can cause psychological harm and dent confidence. Discuss: What factors influence how meaningful the results are? In order for a fitness test to provide meaningful results it must be: Applicable to the sport. Valid. Reliable. Accurate.

Applicable to the specific sport Test must mimic the fitness demands of the sport. For example, sprint tests to assess speed should be taken over the same kind of distances experienced in the sport. In sports such as badminton this may include running sideways or backwards. It may also require performers to complete test in full kit (e.g. cricket batsmen).

Validity To be valid, a test must assess what it is intending to. It must only assess the component of fitness it is meant to (and not be affected by other components of fitness). If a test isn’t sport specific it is unlikely to be valid. The majority of fitness tests participated in at school are therefore unlikely to be valid.

Reliability Reliability refers to how repeatable a test is. Would it give the same results every time? Conditions, including environment, equipment, performers physical state etc must be identical in order to assess reliability.

Accuracy Test accuracy is part of both reliability and validity. Tests must be able to be accurately measured in order to be either reliable or valid.

Were our tests meaningful? Think through the following tests: Ruler test (reactions) Multi-stage fitness test (stamina) Grip Dynamometer (strength) Sit and Reach (flexibility) Standing Broad Jump (power) 20m Sprint (speed) Stork Stand (balance) Anderson Ball-Catch (coordination) Task: Chose four of these tests and write a paragraph for each explaining how meaningful you feel the results were in terms of validity, reliability and accuracy.