Fitness Testing Flashcards
Limitations of fitness testing
Often not sport specific (ruler drop test)
Does not replicate movements in activities
Do not replicate competitive conditions
Questionable reliability, many are maximal activities which require high levels of motivation
Illinois Agility Test
Good for: Tennis Players
Why: they need to change direction quickly to follow the ball after the opponent has hit it
Bad for: 100m Sprinters
Why: they run in a straight line, so there’s no need to change direction
Stork Balance Test
Good for: Gymnast
Why: they need to hold balances completely still, and can be a good way to see how good their static balance is
Bad for: Squash player
Why: they are regularly moving, doesn’t test dynamic balance
Wall Toss Test
Good for: Cricketers
Why: they need good hand-eye coordination
Bad for: Rowers
Why: doesn’t replicate the movement in their activity
Sit and Reach Test
Good for: Dancers
Why: need good flexibility in the legs
Bad for: Swimmers
Why: also need flexibility, but not in their legs
Sit-Up Bleep Test
Good for: (Football) Goalkeeper
Why: mimics movements they may do while making a save; involves the upper and lower body
Bad for: Marathon Runners
Why: doesn’t mimic the movement of running
Vertical Jump Test
Good for: Basketballers
Why: need to jump using leg power
Bad for: Kayakers
Why: don’t require any vertical leg power
Ruler Drop Testing
Good for: Cricketers
Why: need to react quickly to the ball with their hands
Bad for: Snowboarders
Why: need good reaction time, but it doesn’t mimic anything they do
One-Rep Max Test
Good for: Boxers
Why: need to exert maximal force in a punch
Bad for: Middle/Long Distance Runners
Why: shouldn’t exert maximal force in a race
Handgrip Dynamo-meter
Good for: Judoists
Why: holds require maximal grip strength
Bad for: Sprinters
Why: no use for grip strength
30m Speed Test
Good for: Sprinters
Why: perfectly mimics the movements involved in a sprint
Bad for: Discus Throwers
Why: they don’t need speed