6.2 Study Design - fitness testing - main factors

Question 1

Specificity

Answer 1

Is what you are measuring linked to your RQ?
Is the fitness test related to the sport/athlete you are evaluating?
Is it tailored to an individual?

Question 2

Accuracy

Answer 2

Have you accounted for error?
Have you used the same equipment?
Have your helpers/assistants been trained properly?

Question 3

Validity

Answer 3

Is your experiment measuring what you should be measuring?
Are you measuring the right elements that need to be measured?

Question 4

Reliability

Answer 4

You should be able to do the same experiment again and again and should get the same results. If you do then the results are reliable ex. STDEV

Question 5

Control groups (study design)

Answer 5

A group separated from the rest of the experiment, where the independent variable being tested cannot influence the results.

Question 6

Randomisation (study design)

Answer 6

The process of assigning participants to treatment and control groups, assuming that each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to any group.

Question 7

Placebo (study design)

Answer 7

A placebo is a pill, injection, or thing that appears to be a medical treatment but isn’t.
One group gets the medical treatment and the other group get something like a sugar pill.

Question 8

Blinding (study design)

Answer 8

When the participants involved in the study don’t know certain information that could influence them which would effect the results.

Question 9

Double blinding (study design)

Answer 9

When both the participants and observers in a study don’t know the exercise they are doing/watching is a test.

Question 10

Advantages of a lab experiment

Answer 10

Controlled environment
Sport specific equipment
Simulate sport’s demands

Question 11

Disadvantages of a lab experiment

Answer 11

Not always accessible
Limited value assessing team sports
Not conducted in the sport environment

Question 12

Advantages of a field experiment

Answer 12

Specific to the sport
Conducted in the sporting environment

Question 13

Disadvantages of a field experiment

Answer 13

Environment can alter test results
Much planning in testing administration

Question 14

Advantages of a maximal test

Answer 14

Measurements can be more accurate

Question 15

Disadvantages of a maximal test

Answer 15

Risk of injury and over exertion
Difficult to ensure the athlete is working to max. effort
Depends on athlete’s motivation

Question 16

Advantages of a sub-maximal test

Answer 16

Prevents injury over exertion
Can be applied to some population groups that cannot access maximal tests

Question 17

Disadvantages of a sub-maximal test

Answer 17

Depends on extrapolation
Small measurement inaccuracies can result in large discrepancies.