Work Tests to Evaluate Performance

Factors That Contribute to Physical Performance

What the Athlete Gains From Physiological Testing

• Information regarding strengths and weaknesses– Can serve as baseline data to plan training

programs

• Feedback regarding effectiveness of training program

• Understanding about the physiology of exercise

Effective Physiological Testing

• Relevant to the sport

• Valid and reliable

• Sport-specific

• Repeated at regular intervals

• Carefully controlled procedures

• Interpreted to the coach and athlete

Testing of Maximal Aerobic Power

• VO2max testing

– Should be specific to athlete’s sport– Should use large muscle groups– Optimal test length: 10-12 minutes

• Criteria of VO2max

– Respiratory exchange ratio 1.15

– HR in last stage 10 beats•min-1 of HRmax

– Plateau in VO2 with increasing work rate

Determining VO2max

Testing Peak VO2 in Paraplegic Athletes

• Paraplegic athletes can be tested using arm exercise– Arm ergometers– Wheelchair ergometers

• Highest VO2 measured during arm exercise is not considered VO2max

– Called “peak VO2”

Laboratory Tests to Predict Endurance Performance

• Lactate threshold– Exercise intensity at which blood lactic acid begins

to systematically increase– Blood samples taken during incremental exercise

Lactate Threshold

Ventilatory Threshold

• Critical power– Speed at which running speed/time curve

reaches plateau

Critical Power

• Peak running velocity– Highest speed that can be maintained for >5

seconds

Predicting Performance From Peak Running Velocity

Tests to Determine Running Economy

• Measurement of the oxygen cost of running at various speeds– Greater running economy reflected in lower

oxygen cost

• Higher economy means that less energy is expended to maintain a given speed

Running Economy

Running Economy and LT Results From Incremental Exercise Test

Estimating 10,000m Running Time Using LT and Running Economy

• VO2 at LT

– 40 ml•kg-1•min-1

• VO2 of 40 ml•kg-1•min-1

– equals running speed of 205 m•min-1

• Estimated 10,000m running time

10,000m 205 m•min-1 = 48.78 min

Energy System Contribution to Maximal Exercise

Determination of Maximal Anaerobic Power

Ultra short-term tests• Tests ATP-PC system• Examples

– Margaria power test• Stair running

– Jumping power tests

– Running power tests• Series of 40-yard dashes

– Cycling power tests

Short-term tests• Tests anaerobic

glycolysis• Examples

– Cycling tests• Wingate test

– Running tests

– Sport-specific tests

The Margaria Power Test

Series of 40-yard Dashes to Test Anaerobic Power

Evaluation of Muscular Strength

• Isometric measurement– Static force of muscle using tensiometer

• Isotonic measurement– Constant tension– 1 RM lift, handgrip/back-lift dynamometer

• Isokinetic measurement– Variable resistance at constant speed

• Variable resistance devices– Variable resistance over range of motion

Isometric Measurement Using Cable Tensiometer

Isotonic Measurement Using Dynamometry

Isokinetic Measurement of Strength Using Cybex Dynamometer

Printout From Isokinetic Dynamometer