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Application and Assessment of HRF and PRF

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From Specification

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Needs Analysis

“A needs analysis is the process of determining what qualities are necessary for performance in sport. By doing so, athletes and coaches can identify what physical qualities are most important for optimum performance in sport”.

You will Conduct a Needs analysis of a chosen skill or activity for your PAP.

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How to Conduct a Needs Analysis

Step 1: Model

Is there a model performer for your chosen skill/activity. This can be an elite sportsperson or someone you know who has mastered the skill/activity.

You should analyse this model performer (using Video analysis tools such as onform) to break down the movement

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Step 2: Muscle Groups/ Energy Systems used

What are the muscle groups and energy systems that are needed when performing the skill/exercise.

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Step 3: Components of Fitness

What are the components of fitness (HRF and PRF) that are required to become an elite sportsperson in this area? These should be Ranked from most to least important.

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Activity: Create your own needs analysis for one of your chosen physical activity areas

  1. Who Could you Use as a Model Performer and how could you show this person in action?
  2. Identify Muscle Groups that would need to be Developed (Ignore Energy Systems)
  3. Identify the 4 Most Important Components of Fitness. Make sure to be specific to which part of your game these are needed for.

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How do we Assess Health and Performance Related Fitness?

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Why test fitness?

TO IDENTIFY AN INDIVIDUAL’S STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES TO INFORM TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

TO ESTABLISH A BASELINE OR STARTING LEVEL AGAINST WHICH IMPROVEMENTS CAN BE MEASURED

TO ALLOW AN ATHLETE TO SET REALISTIC GOALS, WHICH WILL IMPROVE MOTIVATION AND OPTIMIZE PERFORMANCE

TO DEVELOP A TARGETED AND VARIED TRAINING PLAN THAT INCLUDES CONSIDERATION OF THE COFS THAT ARE MOST RELEVANT TO THE ATHLETE

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Fitness Test Battery

A fitness test battery is simply a group of fitness tests that closely represents the various physiological demands of your sport or event.

Deciding which tests to use will depend on the athlete and the sport they participate in.

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Key Terms:

Baseline Data

The Initial Data Collected which allow you to compare fitness levels pre and post Training Programme

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Normative Data (Norms)

Average Scores for a certain population sorted by specific factors (age, gender etc)

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Test Protocol

The Specific Procedures used to carry out each Fitness Test

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Considerations for Developing a Fitness Test Battery

  1. Validity

Does the test measure what it should measure??

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  • Reliability:

The extent to which the result an athlete gets in a test is repeatable. Conditions for the test should remain the same e.g. same warm up completed; same equipment used; test completed in the same place.

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  • Facility and equipment availability-

Are there adaptations if you do not have access to the equipment/ lab? E.g. Sit and Reach, VO2 max​. What are the costs of conducting the tests?​ Have you the required space?​ With adaptations, do the tests still remain valid and reliable?

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  • Accurate Recording of Scores

You must be consistent with the unit of measurement used; use accurate recording equipment; if necessary have more than one person completing the testing.

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5. Tester Competence-

  • Ensure the person administering the test trained in the test protocol​
  • Ensure the tester is consistent in their administering of the test from one occasion to the next (intra-tester reliability)​
  • Ensure there is little variation between the way one tester and another administers the same test? (inter-tester reliability)

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6. Health and Safety Considerations-

  • Athlete has required fitness to safely participate and are injury free
  • Ensure the environment is safe and appropriate such as equipment safety, not overcrowding a space, surface safety (no wet floors, or upturned mats/trip hazards, etc.) ​
  • An adequate and appropriate warm-up before a test battery is essential to ensure athletes are appropriately prepared for the tests to follow, and avoid injury​

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7. Sequence of Tests

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The order recommended by many international strength-and-conditioning associations is:​

      • non-fatiguing tests (height and weight, skinfold assessment, vertical or horizontal jump tests)​
      • agility tests​
      • maximal strength and power tests​
      • sprint tests​
      • muscular endurance tests​
      • aerobic capacity tests (cardiorespiratory endurance tests)

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Test Order

Body Composition

Body Height

Body Weight

Body Fat Percentage

Power Testing

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Lower Body Power

Full Body Power

Energy System Testing

ATP-CP

Anaerobic Glycolysis

Aerobic Capacity

Speed Testing

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Acceleration

Max Speed

Strength Testing

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Upper Body Strength

- Push & Pull

Lower Body strength

Lowest Energy Demand

Highest Energy Demand

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Some Factors that may influence fitness test results�

  • Environmental conditions (Weather/Crowd/Pressure etc)
  • The quality of the athletes preparation for the test (adequate rest, hydration, nutrition, equipment etc)
  • The athlete’s emotions.
  • Any medication the athlete has taken.
  • Prior Test Knowledge
  • Time of day
  • How many observing