2. Describe three testing considerations, using examples to emphasise their importance, when selecting health/athletic assessments to undertake with a client/athlete.

Question

athletic assessments: standing long jump

testing considerations

1. Validity (validation studies and Max vs sub-max) ,
2. reliability ( consistency between testers and training in testing protocols)
3. Test selection (strength power endurance, Specificity to movement, experience and training status, age and order of testing.)  

Answer 1

When choosing athletic assessments like the standing long jump, it's important to consider factors that ensure the tests are useful, accurate, and suitable for the athlete or client you are working with.

The three key testing considerations you mentioned are validity, reliability, and test selection

1. Validity refers to how well a test measures what it's supposed to measure. For instance, if you want to assess an athlete's explosive power (how quickly they can exert force), the standing long jump is a valid test because it directly involves launching the body forward using a quick, powerful leg movement. This action reflects the athlete’s explosive power.
2. Validation Studies: To ensure validity, researchers conduct studies to see if a test actually measures the concept it claims to test. Before using a test like the standing long jump, you would check if studies have shown that it effectively measures lower body power.
3. Max vs. Sub-max: Some tests are maximal (requiring full effort, like a sprint) and others are sub-maximal (not requiring full effort, like a jogging test). The standing long jump is a maximal test, which is valid for assessing peak performance in sports requiring explosive power.
4. Reliability involves the consistency of test results. A reliable test will give you similar results each time it's used, provided the conditions are the same.
5. Consistency Between Testers: If different coaches measure a standing long jump, their measurements should be similar if the test is reliable. This means that all coaches need to understand exactly how to measure the jump, from where the athlete starts to where they land.
6. Training in Testing Protocols: Proper training for those administering the test is crucial. They need to know how to accurately measure and record the distance, and ensure the athlete performs the jump correctly. This helps in achieving reliable results.
7. Test Selection Choosing the right tests based on the athlete’s sport, experience, and physical condition is crucial.
8. Strength, Power, Endurance:
9. The standing long jump is appropriate for sports requiring strength and power, not endurance. It wouldn’t be useful for a marathon runner in the same way it is for a sprinter or a basketball player.
10. Specificity to Movement: The test should reflect movements that are specific to the sport. The standing long jump is specific to sports that require quick, explosive movements from a standstill.
11. Experience and Training Status: An experienced athlete might perform differently in tests compared to a novice, which needs consideration when selecting tests.
12. Age and Order of Testing: Younger athletes might have different capabilities or require different norms. Also, performing exhausting tests like the standing long jump at the beginning of a testing session could affect their performance in subsequent tests.

By considering these factors—validity, reliability, and appropriate test selection—you can choose the best assessments for your athletes, helping them to train effectively and safely enhance their athletic performance.

Hope that helps!

Dr. Marino Bucci, PT DPT, SCS, CSCS