Measuring Cardiovascular & Coordination

Physical Education: AQA GCSE, topic 3.2.5

Cardiovascular Endurance - Multi Stage Fitness Test

Equipment needed: cones, a tape measure, a CD player, a CD with the test and a sheet to record scores.

The performer must run back and forth over a distance of 20 metres.
This is a progressive test. This means that the test gets harder the longer it goes on. The performers need to run the 20m in time with the bleeps.
The performer keeps running until they cannot keep up with the bleeps. The score is recorded as a level and a bleep (e.g. Level 9, bleep 2).
You can compare the score against a general rating scale that can provide a conversion to predict a performer's VO2 max (maximum consumption of oxygen during exercise).

This is an appropriate test for basketball players, who run up and down the court in a similar movement pattern.
This is a less appropriate test for golfers because they do not run back and forth during play.

Equipment needed: a tennis ball, a flat wall, a stopwatch and an observer.

The performer stands with both feet together 2 metres from the wall.
The performer holds the tennis ball in one hand.
The performer throws the ball against the wall with one hand and catches with the other hand. If the ball is dropped, the time will continue.

This is an appropriate test for cricket or rounders players who need to be able to catch with both hands.
This is a less appropriate test for rowers. Although rowers need co-ordination of the arms and legs, catching a ball is not an appropriate way of testing the skills that they need.

Over which distance must a performer run back and forth during a multi-stage fitness test?
Which of the following are the components of a performer's score on a multi-stage fitness test?
Which of the following can be predicted using a performer's score on the multi-stage fitness test?
Which of the following are needed to complete a wall toss test?
What distance must there be between a performer and the wall in a wall toss test?