UNIT 6.2 - STUDY DESIGN

Question 1

Importance of the par-q?

Answer 1

• simple test, can be used by anyone
• asseses possible risks based on health history
• helps trainers design ideal exercise programs
• some issues can only be uncovered through invasive testing

Question 2

Randomisation

Answer 2

a method based only on chance by which participants are assigned to a treatment group
minimises differencce amongst groups by equal distribution of people with certain characteristics

Question 3

Placebo

Answer 3

a substance with no therapeutic effect. looks/feels similar to actual substance

Question 4

Blinding

Answer 4

concelament of group allocation from one or more individuals involved in a clinical research study
tandomisation foes nothing to prevent differential treatment of groups later in the trial

Question 5

Double blinding

Answer 5

neither participants nor experimenter know which group receives which variable
prevents researcher/participant bias

Question 6

Field experiments

Answer 6

Can be cost effective, performed more frequently, require minimal equipment, provides an authentic environment for the athlete - higher ecological validity
stimulate specific conditions, more readily available than lab testing

Question 7

Lab testing

Answer 7

More accurate,reliable, valid, specific
Provide highly controlled environments
Require very specific equpment that cannot be transferred to the field and require more technical support. Can be very costly

Question 8

Sub-maximal testing

Answer 8

Safer than maximal, because participants under less stress
Can be completed quickly and participants are more willing to join
Quicker participant recovery - allows for faster repeats
Reasonably strong correlations can be made

Only allows for maximal effort estimates. pacing nd motivation is required, some tests can only provide limited correlations

Question 9

Maximal testing

Answer 9

if participant is reasonably fit, and they begin at a slower speed for VO2 max, fatigue can affect them, before they reach maximum effort
Participants can quit befor reaching maximum effort
Testing is costly and takes more time to run

Question 10

Specificity

Answer 10

Tests must asssess an individual’s fitness for the activity or sport in question. eg- no point in testing endurance in running to estimate cycling endurance

Question 11

Accuracy

Answer 11

Accurate tests will produce the same results for the same individual regardless of the tester or technician, or machine. Accurate tests also ensure equpment is well-calibrated and well looked after

Question 12

Reliability

Answer 12

Reliable tests produce the same results if repeated. eg- an assessor trained in skin-fold measurements will produce the same results when the same area is re-tested.
a clear testing procedure should be constructed and followed

Question 13

Validity

Answer 13

Testing must measure the right component of fitness. eg- is the sit and reach rest only measuring flexibility?