Fitness Testing

Test yourself

Reasons for Fitness Testing

Fitness testing can be helpful for a number of reasons:

Discover strength and weaknesses

Fitness tests can highlight the strengths and weaknesses of a performance.
- E.g. a football player’s dribbling ability might be poor because they have poor agility.

Set baselines

Performers can do a ‘baseline’ test for each area of fitness to identify any ‘low’ scores in areas that need improving.
By doing baseline tests, a performer will have a ‘recorded’ starting point. Performers can then compare their starting scores against any progress made.

Track progress

Progress can be tracked over time to see if improvements are made.
- E.g. if a performer achieved level 5.2 in the multi-stage fitness test (baseline) but, when re-tested after 12 weeks, they achieve level 9.8, this shows that the performer is improving their fitness and their plan is successful.

Prevent tedium

Fitness tests can provide variety in a training programme.
Sometimes, training can be boring and fitness tests can be used as competitive tools to get performers interested (they want to beat their previous score).

Peer comparisons

Performers can compare their fitness test scores with a national average.
A performer could also compare their score with their peers (fellow performers).

Motivational tool

A performer may use the fitness test as a motivational tool to improve.
If a performer knows that they have a fitness test coming up, they are more likely to be motivated to do well.
They may also have a specific goal to reach, so they will train hard to make sure they achieve that goal when tested.

Limitations of Fitness Testing

However, fitness testing has some limitations:

Too generic

Tests can be too generic (not sport-specific).
- E.g. a multi-stage fitness test will not always show that a performer is playing football well, because the sport contains both anaerobic and aerobic activity.

Don't mirror sporting movements

Tests such as the multi-stage fitness test do not recreate sporting movements.
- E.g. team sports do not need a performer to run back and forth in a straight line.

Don't recreate competitive conditions

Fitness testing does not recreate the competitive conditions that there are in sport.
Sporting competitions are performed in high-pressure environments that cannot be recreated in fitness tests.
- E.g. these tests can be done over and over.

Many tests aren't completely reliable

Some tests need a performer to try their hardest to achieve an accurate score. If the performers aren't motivated, then the score will not be accurate.
In some tests, a partner needs to record the score (e.g. vertical jump test). The person who is scoring may make a mistake and produce unreliable results.
If the tests are not carried out with correct procedures or protocols, then the results are unreliable.

1Applied Anatomy & Physiology

1.1The Musculoskeletal System

1.1.1Musculoskeletal Structure

1.1.2Structure of the Skeleton

1.1.3Functions of the Skeleton

1.1.4Joints

1.1.5Joints 2

1.1.6Antagonistic Muscle Movement

1.1.7End of Topic Test - The Musculoskeletal System

1.1.8Exam-Style Questions - Musculoskeletal System

1.2The Cardio-Respiratory System

1.2.1Pathway of Air

1.2.2Blood Vessels

1.2.3Blood Vessels 2

1.2.4Structure of the Heart

1.2.5Cardiac Cycle

1.2.6Measures of Heart Performance

1.2.7The Mechanics of Breathing

1.2.8The Mechanics of Breathing 2

1.2.9The Lungs

1.2.10End of Topic Test - The Cardio-Respiratory System

1.2.11Exam-Style Questions - Cardio-Respiratory System

1.3Anaerobic & Aerobic Exercise

1.3.1Aerobic & Anaerobic Respiration

1.3.2Recovering After Exercise

1.3.3Treatments for Recovery

1.4Short-Term Effects of Exercise

1.4.1Short-Term Effects of Exercise

1.4.2Long-Term Effects of Exercise

2Movement Analysis

2.1Lever Systems

2.1.1Lever Systems

2.1.2Mechanical Advantage

2.1.3Basic Sporting Movements

2.1.4Basic Sporting Movements 2

2.2Planes & Axes of Movement

2.2.1Planes & Axes of Movement

2.2.2End of Topic Test - Movement Analysis

2.2.3Exam-Style Questions - Movement

3Physical Training

3.1Health & Fitness

3.1.1Health & Fitness

3.2The Components of Fitness

3.2.1The Components of Fitness

3.2.2Sports & Fitness

3.2.3Fitness Testing

3.2.4Measuring Agility & Balance

3.2.5Measuring Cardiovascular & Coordination

3.2.6Measuring Endurance & Power

3.2.7Measuring Reaction Time & Strength

3.2.8Measuring Strength, Speed & Flexibility

3.2.9End of Topic Test - The Components of Fitness

3.2.10Exam-Style Questions - Fitness Tests

4The Principles of Training

4.1Principles of Training

4.1.1Principles & Circuit Training

4.1.2Continuous & Fartlek Training

4.1.3Plyometric & Static Training

4.1.4Weight & Interval Training

4.2Optimising Training

4.2.1Optimising Training

4.2.2Altitude & Seasonal Training

4.2.3Warming Up

4.2.4Cooling Down

4.2.5End of Topic Test - Principles & Optimisation

4.2.6Exam-Style Questions - Sport-Specific Fitness

5Using Data

5.1Types of Data

5.1.1Quantitative Data

5.1.2Qualitative Data

5.2Data Presentation & Analysis

5.2.1Data Presentation & Analysis

6Sports Psychology

6.1Skills

6.1.1Skills

6.1.2Skills 2

6.1.3Goals & Targets

6.1.4Skills HyperLearning

6.2Feedback & Preparation

6.2.1Information Processing

6.2.2Guidance

6.2.3Guidance 2

6.2.4Feedback

6.2.5Mental Preparation

6.2.6Controlling & Optimising Arousal

6.2.7Exam-Style Questions - Skills & Guidance

6.3Personality & Behaviour

6.3.1Aggression

6.3.2Motivation

6.3.3Personality Types

6.3.4End of Topic Test - Sports Psychology

6.3.5Exam-Style Questions - Aggression & Motivation

7Socio-cultural Influences

8Health & Fitness

8.1Overview of Health

8.1.1Well-Being & Fitness

8.1.2Types of Health

8.2Sedentary Lifestyles

8.2.1Sedentary Lifestyle

8.2.2Obesity & Performance

8.2.3Somatotypes

8.3Nutrition & Hydration

8.3.1Nutrition

8.3.2Nutrition 2

8.3.3Hydration

8.3.4End of Topic Test - Health & Fitness

8.3.5Exam-Style Questions - Nutrition & Hydration

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