Activity analysis
What is the first step in creating a training program?
Activity analysis
Define anaerobic capacity.
The total amount of energy obtained from the anaerobic energy systems.
Provide 3 reasons why athletes should undertake fitness testing.
• Assess strengths and weaknesses in fitness components
• Establish a baseline
• Motivation
• Assess suitability of athlete for sport, position, selection
What are laboratory tests?
Tests conducted under controlled conditions. They are highly accurate but use expensive equipment (less accessible).
Identify 2 tests that assess body composition.
Any 2 of: body mass index, skinfold measurements and waist circumference.
Identify one advantage and one disadvantage of using direct observation and using video recording when collecting data for an activity analysis
Direct observation pros:
• Practical, no equipment
• Can implement immediate change
Video recording pros:
• Replay and slow down footage
• Easy to share and store
• More accurate
• Computer programs available
Direct observation cons:
• Hard to see everything in real time
• Memory limitations
• Difficult to view all at once
• Subjective
Video recording cons:
• More prep/set-up involved (labour intensive)
• Digital literacy required
• More costly
Define muscular power.
The ability of a muscle or group of muscles to exert a maximum amount of force in the shortest period of time.
What is a maximal test? What would not make the Cooper 12 minute run test maximal?
A test where you stretch the fitness component to your maximum capability.
Does not have to be to exhaustion.
If you don't push yourself to your full ability e.g. walk when don't need to, it is not a maximal test.
What are 2 advantages of field tests? What is 1 disadvantage?
Pros
• More practical
• More affordable
• Easy to administer
• Often can test many people at once
• Provide more of a prediction of fitness but most validated against “gold standard” tests
Con
• Less accurate
Would you recommend the 20 m sprint or 35 m sprint test for a netballer? Explain your answer. Which fitness component are these tests measuring?
They are measuring speed. The 20 m sprint test is more specific to netball due to the size of the court and need to do shorter rather than longer sprints when leading for a ball etc.
What are the two pieces of data you can establish from movement patterns e.g. GPS?
Any two of:
• Energy system contributions
• Fitness tests
• Fitness components
Define flexibility and describe a factor affecting flexibility (other than age or gender).
The range of motion around a joint.
Joint structure (higher in ball and socket joints), muscle temperature (i.e. warmed up), injury decreases flexibility.
Provide 6 ways you can increase reliability of a test.
• Same time of day
• Same equipment
• Same order of tests
• Same surface
• Same weather conditions
• Same clothing/footwear
• Same nutritional/hydration state
• Same activity level during the day
• Same protocols adhered to
Which fitness component has sumbaximal tests?
When it is not safe to do a maximal test?
Aerobic power. E.g. if they have had a heart attack.
Explain a muscular endurance test that would be suitable for a rower.
60-second push up test
Athlete places their hands shoulder-width apart, feet together and body straight (push up position). They lower their chest to the ground and back to the starting position. The number of repetitions completed in 60 seconds is recorded.
30-second sit-up test
Athlete lies down with their knees bent. They then raise their chest high enough for the hands to slide along the knees, before returning to the starting position. The number of sit ups completed in 30 seconds is recorded.
Identify the most important energy system for the following work to rest ratios:
• 1:5
• 3:1
• 1:2
ATP-PC, aerobic system, aerobic system
Define agility. Provide two sporting examples that require good agility. Other than age or gender, describe one factor affecting agility.
The ability to change direction quickly and accurately without losing balance.
E.g. evading an opponent, baulk.
Muscle fibre type (higher % fast twitch), flexiblity, reaction time.
Define validity and reliability and give an example of each.
Validity
The test measures what it is aimed at measuring. If you want to test muscular power, you select the vertical jump test over the sit and reach test.
Reliability
Ability of a test to produce consistent/repeatable results. If the athlete performs the test the exact same way each time, the results should be the same.
Justify the semo agility test for a netballer from a physiological and psychological perspective.
Physiological
• Similar movements and intensities e.g. change of direction, always facing forwards
• Recognised test (valid): has norms
• Suitable for their current fitness
Psychological
• Motivating as peers can cheer you on (done as a group)
• Motivating as can try to beat peers
Explain 2 tests of muscular power and identify the one most suitable for a cricketer.
Seated basketball throw (most suitable)
Athlete sits against a wall and chest passes a basketball as far as possible while keeping their back against the wall, thereby isolating the use of the upper body. Most suitable and cricketers require good upper body strength.
Vertical jump
Athlete stands sideways to a wall with the arm extended above their head. Their standing reach is measured with a chalk mark. They then jump as high as possible and mark the height.
A tennis player performs 198 directional changes in a game and 68 forehands. Identify the major muscle groups, fitness components and fitness tests they will need.
Directional changes
• Quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes etc.
• Agility
• Semo agility test
Forehands
• Deltoid, wrist flexors, biceps etc.
• Muscular power
• Seated basketball throw
Define aerobic power. Provide two sports that require good aerobic power. Describe 4 factors affecting aerobic power.
The maximum rate of ATP production from the aerobic energy system
E.g. AFL, soccer, marathon
Age, gender, large number of mitochondria, muscle fibre type (greater % slow twitch)
Justify the yo-yo intermittent recovery test for a basketballer from a physiological, psychological and sociocultural perspective.
Physiological
• Similar movements and intensities
• Recognised test (valid): has norms
• Suitable for their current fitness (can go to maximum)
Psychological
• Motivating as peers can cheer you on (done as a group)
• Motivating as can try to beat peers
Sociocultural
• Easy access to equipment and resources (low cost)
• Group testing
• Have the facilities to conduct it
What are the two steps before conducting a fitness test and briefly describe each.
Pre-exercise screening (PAR-Q)
It screens for evidence of risk factors during physical activity and reviews family history and disease severity. Determines what exercise is safe for the participant.
Informed consent
• Explains fitness test
• Identifies potential risks and benefits
• Clearly outlines that the participant can withdraw consent at any time (freely)
• Outlines how data will be used (confidentiality)
•Advises participant that they must disclose any injuries/diseases they have that could increase the risk of adverse event
• Obtains a signature
• Opportunity to ask questions
• When a participant is under 18, the consent of a parent/guardian is also required
Explain 2 tests of anaerobic capacity and identify the one most suitable for a hockey player.
Phosphate recovery test (most suitable)
Athlete completes a 7- second sprint across a course with 23 seconds recovery after each sprint. They attempt to move past as many cones (numbered 1 to 10) as possible and maintain performance across all 7 sprints. Most suitable as it mimics movements in a match (running and rest).
30-second Wingate test
Athlete cycles at a maximal intensity for 30 seconds on a stationary bike. Not as suitable as athlete is cycling.