Activity Analysis
Conducting an activity analysis assists to make a training program specific to the sport.
Identify at least two things that an activity analysis will reveal.
The activity analysis will reveal the following:
1. Identify the most important energy system demands of the sport or activity.
2. Identify the most important fitness components of the sport or activity.
3. Identify the movement patterns of the sport or activity.
4. Identify major muscle groups used during sport.
Body Composition
Coordination
Balance
Agility
Muscular Power
Muscular Strength
Muscular Endurance
Flexibility
Speed
Anaerobic Capacity
Aerobic Power
Identify three purposes of fitness assessment (testing).
• Create a benchmark enabling comparisons with future test results
• Create training engagement & motivation (psychological)
• Determine the most suitable position for a performer to play
• Predict playing potential / talent identification (physiological)
• Evaluate ‘employment fitness’ – defense forces, police, fire & rescue, etc.
• Identify potential health risk factors (health-screening = CV & body composition analysis)
• Provide information about training effectiveness and possible program modifications (physiological & psychological)
• Determine strengths, weaknesses and training goals when results are compared with a set of norms (physiological & psychological)
Explain Specificity when conducting fitness assessment.
Testing should closely match the requirements established in the initial activity analysis to ensure specificity is closely aligned to the requirements of the activity.
Sporting examples:
A 50-metre sprint test for speed is not very specific to the explosive distances sprinted -by a netballer; a 10 or 15-metre sprint test would be more specific to their requirements.
If assessing aerobic power for a Tour de France cyclist, then a VO2 max test on a bicycle would be more specific than a VO2 max test on a treadmill
Define flexibility and provide one fitness test that could be conducted.
Definition: The capacity of a joint to move through its full range of motion.
Common assessment tests:
•Sit and reach test
•Shoulder rotation test
•Trunk and neck extension test
•Ankle flexion test
•Ankle extension test
Identify one method used to gather data from an activity analysis and explain an advantage and disadvantage of this method.
Methods:
Direct observation (coach watching the performer)
Ad:
•Inexpensive
•Limited equipment needed
•Easy to conduct
•Immediate changes can be made to playing set up/style of play in response to how the game is progressing
•Player fatigue can be easily observed and counteracted by use of the ‘bench’ for recovery
Dis:
•Subjective or opinion-based decisions (which can be inaccurate)
•Unable to show players how they performed
•No future reference possibility to compare performances
•The pace of the game is too fast to ‘take everything in’
•Difficult to observe multiple players at the same time
Video/digital recording (e.g. Digital recorders/Tablet computers/Drones etc.)
Drones:
Ad:
•Every player is visible for the duration of the game
•Allows player to be monitored when ‘off the ball’
•Allows for tactical decision making
Dis:
•Expensive to set up
•Requires lots of operators to use the many cameras/recorders
Identify at least three factors that will affect either anaerobic capacity OR aerobic power.
The following factors will affect anaerobic capacity:
•Age (peaks at 20 years)
•Gender (males generally have a higher anaerobic capacity than females. This is due to greater muscle mass, therefore more places to store PC and enzymes)
•Tolerance of waste products (H+ ions)
•Fiber type
Fast twitch fibers have a higher anaerobic capacity and are more suited to activities of high intensity and short duration. This, having a higher percentage of fast twitch fibers will increase anaerobic capacity.
Aerobic power relies on the bodies ability to take in, transport and utilise oxygen.
Thus, the following factors will affect aerobic power:
•Concentration of oxidative enzymes
•Size and number of mitochondria
•Blood volume (red blood cell count, thus hemoglobin)
•Cardiac output (stroke volume x heart rate)
Select and explain two fitness tests that could be used for an athlete/sport of your choice.
Lebron James/Basketball
Fitness test: Semo agility test
(fitness component: agility)
This test assesses the agility of a participant in manoeuvring forwards, backwards and sideways. It is particularly well suited to sports such as tennis, volleyball, badminton and basketball.
Fitness test: Vertical Jump test
(fitness component: muscular power of the legs)
Important for team sports such as basketball, volleyball and handball, where the basketballer is required to explosively jump to rebound the ball or during the tip off or defensive blocks.
Eliud Kipchoge is the world record holder in the marathon event with a time of 2hrs 01 min 39 sec. The most important fitness component for Eliud is aerobic power.
Mike is a 35-year-old running enthusiast looking to emulate Eliud by running his first marathon. Mike’s coach is deciding whether to use the VO2 Max treadmill test or the Coopers 12 min run test in order to test Mikes aerobic power.
Which of these 2 tests is a field test?
Coopers 12-minute run test
Benjamin is a 17-year-old national standard Soccer player whose coach asks him to complete a battery of pre-tests for muscular endurance before prescribing a training program.
Discuss two ways that testing can be used to motivate Benjamin.
EXAMPLE ANSWER
Benjamin could use fitness testing as his benchmark, ensuring he is motivated to improve these benchmarks throughout his training program so that during post testing he can achieve better results. If Benjamin undertakes testing with his peers he could be motivated to achieve better results than them and therefore do better in his testing.
List three advantages of using GPS when performing an activity analysis in Australian Rules Football.
- GPS combines movement patterns with intensities from the activity
- It can identify possible time of fatiguing when intensity begins to reduce
- It can be used during the game.
Explain the difference between muscular strength, muscular power and muscular endurance.
Muscular strength and muscular power are commonly confused.
SIMILARITY: Both involve a maximal contraction.
DIFFERENCE:
-Power requires speed (short and explosive application of force)
-Strength requires an IMPULSE (maximal contraction applied over a extended period of time)
Muscular strength is the maximal force that can be generated by a muscle, or muscle group, in one maximal effort (e.g 1RMbench press).
Muscular power is the ability to exert a force rapidly, over a short period of time. It requires both strength (force) and speed (velocity). (e.g. vertical jump test).
Muscular Endurance is the ability of a muscle or muscle group to perform repeated contractions against a resistance, in the face of fatigue.(e.g. 60 second push-up test).
a. Explain the importance of informed consent before conducting a fitness battery.
b. Explain what would need to happen when a performer is under 18?
a. Informed consent
Aims to:
•Minimise the risk of harm to both the performer and test administrator
•Clearly outline what is involved in the test
•Explains the potential risks
•Explains how the results are going to be used
b. An individual under 18 would need consent from a parent or guardian before participating in any fitness assessment.
Explain the difference between Laboratory/direct testing and Field/indirect testing using suitable examples.
Laboratory/direct testing
Is usually reserved for elite performers and when accuracy and reliability are paramount. Often these tests are the ‘gold standard’ that other tests are correlated against. Laboratory testing can be expensive.
Direct = directly measures the function of a fitness component.
E.G: VO2 max test measures aerobic power.
Field/indirect testing
Is very practical, can have multiple people tested at the same time, be relatively cheap to run whilst being reasonably accurate, provided testing protocols are followed.
Indirect = based on the use of predictive measures and equations linked to norms to estimate fitness levels.
E.G: Coopers 12-minute run predicts aerobic power.
The Cooper 12-minute run test is a field test.
Justify the selection of this test for an under-18 football team from a physiological, psychological and sociocultural perspective.
The Cooper 12-m inute run is suitable test for the under-18 football team beacuse it mimics the physiological movements of football (i.e. running).
The test can also be conducted on the group all at once, allowing for motiation and support from teammates (psychological).
From a sociocultural perspective, the test is a field test, meaning that it is more accessible in relation to the cost and access to facilities to complete the testing.
a. Using volleyball as an example, list two types of data that could be collected as part of an activity analysis.
b. Explain how each type of data can then be used to determine the physiological requirements of volleyball.
Types of data that can be collected:
- Heart rates
- Movement patterns (GPS)
- Skill frequencies
- Work to rest ratios
Type of data collected: Heart rates
How each type of data can then be used to determine the physiological requirements of volleyball:
Heart rates can be used to determine intensity, which can then be used to determine work to rest tatios and energy system contribution used within volleyball. The athlete's training program can then be structures to develop the appropriate energy system/s.
In 2016, Cate Campbell held the World Record in the Women’s 100 metre Freestyle short course in a time of 52.06 seconds.
Identify two of the major fitness components evident in the race.
- Anaerobic capacity
- Speed
Any others?
Outline two ethical protocols the athlete should experience when completing fitness testing.
Ethical protocols = rules or procedures outlining how testing should be conducted.
Informed consent
Validity (Does the test measure/assess what it claims?)
For example,
The Yo-Yo test is used to measure aerobic power. It cannot be used to assess muscular endurance because of involvement from multiple muscles and body systems.
Reliability (Will the chosen test produce consistent results?)
That is, if the test is performed again (assuming appropriate recovery time, same time, diet, warm-up, venue, etc...) will the same result be obtained?
All tests should:
•Be conducted at the same time of day
•Use the same warm-up
•Use the same order of testing (prioritise ATP-PC dominated tests first, such as the vertical jump test, to minimise the effects of fatigue)
Accuracy (Are results appropriate and accurate?)
To increase reliability, accuracy must be sought via regular checks and maintenance of testing equipment, adherence to testing protocols and training of testers.
Electronic equipment can reduce human error and increase accuracy (e.g. timing gates).
During post-testing, Paul did not follow the correct protocol of eliminating players who did not reach lines twice in a row before the beep! He instead gave them multiple warnings in the final stages of the test when they didn’t make the lines in time. The Team Manager Mike Stockdale who ran the pre-tests correctly was disgusted and argued that the tests were not valid, accurate or reliable because of this oversight.
Discuss whether Mike is correct showing your understanding of accuracy, validity, and reliability.
Mike is correct that the tests would be inaccurate as both tests followed different protocols and the testing would be unreliable as conditions in both tests were different.
The test is however a valid measure of aerobic power and so he is incorrect to say it would not be.
Mike the Team Manager decides to retest the Under 15 team using the VO2 Max test. Discuss the suitability of this test compared to the multi-stage fitness test for testing the aerobic power of the team from a physiological, psychological, and socio-cultural perspective.
The Multi-stage fitness test is more appropriate than the VO2 max test in this circumstance.
Physiologically both tests test aerobic power which is a required fitness component to play Soccer and both are exhaustion tests that most Under 15’s should have the fitness levels to complete safely. (some may not of course).
Psychologically both tests may motivate team members to do their best and both can test mental toughness and so could be appropriate. The Multistage fitness test as it is done in a large group may provide more motivation. VO2 max test can be done individually which may allow players to do their best in private.
Socioculturally the multistage fitness test is most appropriate as it is done easily with large groups and is not cost prohibitive, as it requires little equipment whereas the VO2 max test is expensive and not practical for large groups, requires a lot of equipment and specialised trained scientists to conduct it.
a. Place the following fitness tests in an appropriate testing order.
Phosphate Recovery Test
Standing Vertical Jump
Semo Agility Test
Skinfold Test
Yo-yo intermittent test
1. __________________________
2. __________________________
3. __________________________
4. __________________________
5. __________________________
b. Using the examples from part a. justify the order of the testing.
a. Fitness testing order:
1. Skin fold test
2. 505 agility test
3. Standing long jump
4. Phosphate recovery test
5. Cooper 12-minute run test
b. The physical demands and duration of the tests need to be considered. Non-fatiguing tests such as body composition tests should be performed first. The tests should be performed in order of the demands of the test and the time required to recover after performing each test. For example, after performing the Standing long jump test an individual should be able to perform at maximal intensity again after a relatively short recovery period. Highly demanding tests such as the Phosphate recovery test and Yo-yo intermittent recovery test should be performed last. If they are performed prior to other tests the fatigue associated with these tests is likely to affect results.
Each player in the Volleyball team completes the same fitness tests under the guidance of the Sports Scientist, however, because of Covid 19 each player does the testing in different venues on different days and weather conditions.
Their coach Mike believes that the results won’t be valid or accurate, but Paul argues that they may not be reliable.
Justify whether Paul or Mike is correct and explain the difference between validity, accuracy and reliability.
Example Answer
Eliud Kipchoge is the world record holder in the marathon event with a time of 2hrs 01 min 39 sec. The most important fitness component for Eliud is aerobic power.
Mike is a 35-year-old running enthusiast looking to emulate Eliud by running his first marathon. Mike’s coach is deciding whether to use the VO2 Max treadmill test or the Coopers 12 min run test in order to test Mikes aerobic power.
Compare the suitability of the Coopers 12 min run test and the VO2 Max test from a physiological, psychological and socio-cultural perspective, for testing aerobic power for these 2 marathon runners and justify which is most appropriate for Mike and Eliud.
1 mark for physiological factor
1 mark for psychological factor
1 mark for sociocultural factor
1 mark for identifying that the Vo2 max test is appropriate for Eliud and suitable comparisons made throughout
1 mark for identifying that 12 min run test is more appropriate for Mike
Example Answer
From a physiological perspective both tests are valid measures of aerobic power however VO2 Max test is a test to exhaustion and may not be suitable for Mike who could injure himself. The Coopers 12-minute run is a maximal test however the runner controls the pace and can easily slow down if necessary. This test is suitable for both runners.
Psychologically the 12 min run test would provide motivation for both runners and can be done in groups which will also motivate them to perform well. The VO2 Max test is in a lab and must be performed one at a time. This may not be beneficial for Mike who could feel anxiety and may not want to push to exhaustion.
Socioculturally the VO2 max test is very expensive and access to facilities is often difficult as well as access to qualified sports scientists. Eliud has easy access to these things and so the test is appropriate however the 12-minute run is a less time consuming and less expensive test that delivers similar but less accurate results.
The 12-minute run test is more suitable for Mike but the VO2 max test is more suitable for Eliud.