VCE PE Fitness testing

What are reasons why coaches/athletes use pre-fitness assessment?

• Establish a baseline for future comparisons.

• Highlight existing strengths and weaknesses

• Use as the basis for the design of training programs.

• Highlight the fact that an athlete is really good so they don't need to train.

Reasons why coaches/athletes perform post-testing of fitness:

• Monitor progress

• Quantify individual improvements.

• Evaluate the success of training program and to provide possible modifications to training.

• To identify fitness components that are important to the sport.

What considerations should a coach take into account when deciding what fitness testing to do?

• How expensive the tests are.

• What equipment and facilities are required?

• Safety concerns to do with physical environment, climate and temperature.

• How the time spent on fitness testing could get in the way of training.

What other considerations should a coach think about in regards to fitness assessment?

• Maximal or sub-maximal testing?

• What website to use to advertise the results of each of the athletes' fitness assessment.

• How testing to impact on athletes' self-esteem and future participation.

• Is the group of the one gender or mixed setting?

What factors are involved for pre participation health screenings before fitness assessment?

• Will the athlete be able to carry out these tests without risking their health?

• Older athletes should get a medical clearance before doing fitness assessment.

• Athletes could use a pre participation health screening questionnaire such as PAR-Q or APSS.

• She'll be right.

Informed consent in relation to fitness assessment involves:

• Athletes knowing what fitness testing will be carried out including the purpose, nature, risks, ability to withdrawer, confidentiality, liability and be given the opportunity to ask questions.

• People under the age of 18 having to have parent's/guardian's permission

• Isn't important and should be ignored

Protocols related to fitness assessment include:

• Specificity (be specific to the athlete's sport/position)

• Validity (will measure the fitness components you are trying to assess).

• Objectivity (free from bias)

• Accuracy (experimental error is reduced)

• Reliability (tests to be conducted in same conditions for both the pre- and post-tests).

Fitness tests used for Aerobic Power include:

• VO2 max

• Yo-yo Test

• 20m shuttle run test

• Seated basketball throw.

Fitness tests used to assess body composition:

• BMI

• Skin folds

• Height and arm span

• Walking a balance beam

Fitness tests used to assess Anaerobic Capacity:

• Phosphate recovery

• Sprints 30m/ 40m/ 50m

• Running Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST)

• Ruler drop.