Test administration

     In our current series of athletic testing, we learned what makes a test valid and reliable and what goes on in test selection. In today's article we will learn the basis of test administration. 

    Test administration starts with when the test will be conducted. As we know weather plays a significant factor in athletic testing. At 80 degrees F and/or humidity exceeds 50% will impair aerobic endurance and intermittent sprint performance. This means that if we are in a southern state we should test in the morning or in the evening to avoid those temperatures. Even though after spending some time in the deep south that humidity is for real for real even in the morning. Averting the hottest parts of the day not only theoretically improves performance but it puts athletes in the safest environment possible weather wise. 

    Selecting qualified graders is an overlooked quality. Ensuring graders are reliable and consistent are paramount for testing. If one grader expresses positive verbal communication with some folks and no verbal communication with another that could possibility throw off the results. Knowledge of each test is imperative for each grader. If the grader doesn't know about the nuances of the T test, then that could possibly throw off data. Ideally, the number of graders depends on the number of athletes to be tested-more athletes=more graders. Also, the selection of the test does dictate the number of graders. 1RM max bench and squat requires additional graders for spotting purposes while the T test would only require one grader. 

   For the order of the tests is determined by energy systems and rest. Tests that use the most energy are frontloaded while the tests that use less are typically tested near the end. Tests that use the phosphagen energy system will take precedence over tests for the oxidative system. A baseline of tests are as follows:

Non-fatiguing tests (Ht/Wt,flexiblity, skinfold tests and vertical jump tests)  

Agility tests (T-test/Pro agility test)

Maximum power and strength tests (1RM Power clean/1RM Squat)

Sprint tests (40m sprint)

Local Muscular endurance (pushup test)

Anaerobic capacity tests (300m shuttle)

Aerobic capacity test (1.5 Mile run)

    If at all possible, the anaerobic and aerobic tests should be completed on separate days. In the event that both need to be completed in the same test battery then extended rest periods should be allocated. Additionally, depending on the schedule a short, supervised walk through could be implemented to acclimate athletes towards the movements and pace of the test.