Lecture 15 - Types of physical fitness & fitness testing Flashcards
What is physical fitness?
Indication of ability to perform physical activity (PA)
Ability to perform muscular work satisfactorily
What are high levels of physical fitness associated with?
specific exercise training
What is the relation between PA and PF?
Low levels of PA typically result in low levels of PF
What is PF influenced by that can not be changed?
PF also influenced by genetics
Which is easier to measure: PA or PF?
PF easier to measure than PA. PF measures are used as proxies to determine PA
What devices have improved the capacity to measure physical activity?
Pedometers and accelerometers
What are the types of physical fitness (categories)
Health-related
Occupation-specific
Sport-specific
What are the purposes of physical fitness tests?
- Assess current health status
- Monitor rehabilitation
- Assess for sports needs
- Assess fitness for work or employment
- Identify strengths and weaknesses
- Assist in setting training goals
- Influence training program design
- Provide motivation for exercise
- Monitor training program effects
What are the requirements of a good fitness test?
- Specificity
– test assesses a specific known component of fitness - Validity
– test measures the component of fitness that is claimed - Objectivity
– same result is obtained regardless of who conducts the test - Reliability
– same result is obtained if the test is repeated within a few days
What are some technical considerations of fitness testing?
Does it test for one thing?
Does the participant understand what is required?
Is technical competence required?
Is the test well standardised?
What are some individual and environmental considerations of fitness testing?
Time of day
Environmental conditions
Nutrition and hydration status
Medication
What tests are recommended for general population? Note the recommendations for: intensity, strength, flexibility tests and body comp tests.
Submaximal CRF tests most common
Strength endurance tests more common than strength tests
Flexibility – sit and reach most common
Body composition – bioelectrical impedance becoming most common
What tests are recommended for athletic populations?
Enormous variation used depending on sport although maximal strength and power widely assessed in athletes
What tests would be recommended for sporting groups?
Anaerobic tests, speed, and agility
What tests are recommended for kids? Note the tests used to determine: a) CRF, b) strength, c) flexibility, d) balance, e) body comp
a) beep test, b) strength endurance > strength, c) sit and reach, d) stork stand, e) not commonly assessed
What are some common tests for older or clinical populations?
- 6 min walk test (6MWT)
- 10 metre walk speed
- Sit-to-stand
- Timed up and go
- Chair sit and reach
- Berg balance test
What would increase the risk of fitness testing in individuals? (what are the risk factors?)
genetics & medical history
sedentary and/or inactive
maximal effort tests
risk higher during environmental extremes
What is the number 1 injury in resistance training?
Blisters
Define strength in the context of exercise testing
the maximum capacity to generate force
Define power in the context of exercise testing
the rate of performing work
Define strength endurance in the context of exercise testing
the capacity to sustain repeated submaximal muscle contractions or a single static (isometric) contraction
What is the difference between isometric, isokinetic and isotonic
Isometric - the joint angle and muscle length do not change during contraction
Isokinetic - velocity of movement is constant but force varies
Isotonic - tension in the muscle stays the same despite a change in muscle length
What are the considerations for muscle performance assessments?
- Warm up improves performance
- Standardise warm up for repeat tests
– E.g., pre-post a training program - Need to determine number of trials and rest intervals
- Often a minimum of 3 min rest between trials if maximal efforts required
- Often allow 3 trials
- Ideally have some idea of athlete’s performance before testing
What is the protocol for isometric testing?
Maximal effort exerted over 3-4sec
Cable tensiometer, dynamometer or load cell (force cell)
What is the relationship between isometric testing and sports performance and training effects?
Often poor relationships with sports performance and training effects
What is the protocol for isokinetic testing?
Dynamometer connected to a motor
Subject exerts force as hard & fast as possible against lever arm
Device holds velocity of movement constant
force velocity profile is generated
What are the advantages to isokinetic testing?
Provide a good means of standardising conditions
Record of force through full ROM
Identify variations in force - points of weakness
What are some common isotonic strength tests?
1-, 3-, 5- & 10-RM tests.
What is the protocol for 1RM tests?
Lifts progressively heavier with smaller increments until failure
– Ideally only 3-4 lifts to 1 RM
– Allow 5 min rest between attempts
When would a 10RM test be used over a 1RM test?
– Recommended for testing of novices
– Greater margin of safety
– Less accurate
– Used to estimate 1 RM (extrapolate)
What is the equation for power?
Power = (Force x Distance) ÷ Time
How can we modify force, distance and time to increase power
Increase force
increase distance
Decrease time
What are some tests for power?
– Vertical jump
– Standing long jump
– Margaria-Kalamen stair run
– Peak power output on 10 s cycle test
All factors equal, can a stronger or weaker muscle perform everyday task at higher or lower %ages of max capacity?
Lower. Greater strength: less fatigue likely with everyday activities
What are some strength-endurance tests?
– Sustained isometric force (wall squat test)
– Repetitions of muscle action (push-ups, pull-ups, stand-ups, etc.)
What is the difference between absolute strength endurance and relative strength endurance
- Absolute strength endurance
– Number of repetitions with set load e.g. 50kg or body weight - Relative strength endurance
– Number of repetitions at set % of individual’s 1 RM
e.g.: push up test vs bench press test
What is the reliability of strength-endurance tests compared to strength tests?
Lower
How is flexibility objectively measured?
– Goniometers
– Inclinometers
– Sit and reach
– Shoulder rotation
– Ankle flexion-extension
What is the clinical significance of balance test?
Clinically may be assessed as part of assessment of dizziness/vestibular disorders
What are some balance tests?
– Single Limb Stance
– Stork Stand
– Star Excursion Balance Test
– Berg Balance Test
