Continuing on with our series of covering the Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning textbook we look into Chapter 12 or more specially: test selection.
An athletic test is typically conducted before the athlete starts training. This way a strength coach can see where the athlete weaknesses are and address them in training. Tests can be conducted one or two at a time or in a battery (series of tests). In a battery test must be selected in a way that enables the athlete to be at full strength (or close it as possible). That will be covered in the next article. Today we will focus on which tests to select. As always in higher levels of fitness it all depends. What does it depend on? Great question. They should be selected based on the sport specificity, metabolic energy systems, biomechanics, athlete experience, training status, age and the environment. We will cover each aspect in detail.
Sport Specificity/Metabolic energy system
This is where you break down the sport. Does it require more power such as American Football. For this example, power can cover a multitude of things such as acceleration, jumping or how much force can be produced in the smallest time frame or max effort in min time. The sport could require more endurance as in a long-distance runner or more anaerobic like in wrestling. Understanding phosphagen, glycolytic and oxidative systems and rest cycles are key to building a test that fits the sports energy requirements.
Biomechanics
Most sports are based off positions. American Football has offensive and defensive linemen where more bulk and strength are needed to be successful while Wide Receivers and Defensive backs require more sprinting and cutting. A 1RM max bench press would be more applicable towards lineman while receivers and defensive backs would benefit from sprints.
Athlete Experience/age/gender
Consider a collegiate senior track and field athlete versus a high school freshman in track and field running the 400m. Both rely on anaerobic energy systems but at different rates. A Yo-Yo intermediate test or with intense plyometrics would be better suited for the collegiate athlete while a less intense test with low intensity plyometrics would benefit the high school freshman. The experience of each athlete dictates the test. A pullup test would be better suited for male athletes while a pull up test for female athletes would need to be scaled due to the differences in upper body strength.
Environment
Weather is one of those factors where a strength coach may not be able to control but can game plan around it. If a 1.5-mile test is scheduled for Wednesday and the forecast is called for 90 plus degrees with high humidity, then the test could be rescheduled for a cooler day (or early in the morning). Any temperatures above 80 degrees impairs aerobic and sprint performance. Strength tests are negotiable since majority of the time they will be conducted indoors. Humidity that exceeds 50% also impairs aerobic endurance. If you're testing in the south during the time, then early morning testing should be implemented. Altitude can also play a factor as well. Elevation above 1900 feet impairs aerobic testing. Elevation in the 9,000 feet range severely impairs aerobic testing with a 5% dip in performance with every 3,000 ft increase. Changes in altitude can be negated with acclimatization. It normally takes 7-10 days to acclimate to increased elevation. Acclimatizing to heat and humidity can also be a factor as well.
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