Enhancing Fitness: Fitness Testing

Question 1

What are the benefits of fitness testing?

Answer 1

Identify strengths & weaknesses of athlete
Monitor progress by comparing against previous test results or even results of others
Enhance motivation - there’s nothing more satisfying than seeing yourself improve
Provides evidence for talent identification of performer’s potential
Helps with goal setting

Question 2

What are the limitations of fitness testing?

Answer 2

Many tests aren’t sport-specific - don’t replicate specific movements/actions required by different activities
Many tests are predicative - don’t use direct measures & can be inaccurate
Many tests don’t consider sporting environment or competitive conditions of activity
Validity & reliability of relevant tests should therefore be questioned

Question 3

How can the validity of a fitness test be improved?

Answer 3

Replicating sporting environment, e.g. rugby players sprint on grass wearing kit & boots
Testing appropriate:
Muscle groups
Muscle fibre type
Energy systems

Question 4

What are factors which can influence reliability of fitness tests?

Answer 4

Sub maximal tests more reliable since performers motivation to work to exhaustion isn’t issue
Testing environment must be same each time test conducted
Testing personnel & protocol must be standardised, e.g. using timing gates rather than stopwatch

Question 5

What is meant by maximal tests?

Answer 5

Require athlete to work to exhaustion
Depends on motivation of athlete on day
Some ethical issues & dangers of asking athlete to push themselves

Question 6

What is meant by sub-maximal testing?

Answer 6

Mostly relying on estimating & predicting
Often favoured since motivation of performer not issue as they don’t work to exhaustion

Question 7

Which fitness tests can be used to test aerobic endurance?

Answer 7

Multi-Stage Fitness Test
Treadmill
Cooper Run

Question 8

Which fitness tests can be used to test anaerobic endurance?

Answer 8

RAST

Question 9

Which fitness tests can be used to test muscular endurance?

Answer 9

1 minute abdominal curl
10-20 RMs
Core muscular endurance

Question 10

Which fitness tests can be used to test body composition?

Answer 10

% of body fat
Body mass index (BMI)

Question 11

Which fitness tests can be used to test co-ordination?

Answer 11

Wall throw & catch

Question 12

Which fitness tests can be used to test Flexibility?

Answer 12

Sit & Reach
Static flexion tests

Question 13

Which fitness tests can be used to test reaction time?

Answer 13

Ruler drop

Question 14

Which fitness tests can be used to test agility?

Answer 14

Illinois agility run
T-Drill
10x5m run

Question 15

Which fitness tests can be used to test strength?

Answer 15

1RM
Grip strength

Question 16

Which fitness tests can be used to test speed?

Answer 16

30m sprint