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Test Protocols

Doug Fenstermacher edited this page Nov 24, 2016 · 1 revision

Test Protocols

Jump Test

Bosco Repeat Vertical Jump Test

The goal of the test is to maximize number of jumps with maximum height in the given time period.

Resources

  • timing mat

Steps

  1. The participant start in a stable position on the mat with their weight evenly distributed on both feet.
  2. Both hands are kept by the participant's sides through the duration of the test
  3. When ready, the participant bend their knees to a 90 degree angle and jumps as high as possible and lands back on the mat with both feet at the same time.
  4. The participant repeats step 2 for the duration of the test
  5. the test times usually range from 5 seconds to 60 seconds, with 60 seconds being the most common

Note: Participants can benefit from practicing in this test. Participants also need to take-off and land on the ground with both feet.

Bosco C., Luhtanen P., Komi P.V. "A simple method for measurement of mechanical power in jumping". Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1983;50(2):273-82.

Magaria-Kalamen Power Stairs Test

Resources

  • Stopwatch
  • Assistant
  • Flight of 12 steps about 17.5 cm height
  • Bodyweight scale

Steps

  1. Participant warms up for 10 minutes
  2. Place a start line 6 meters in front of the first steps of the stairs
  3. Place a marker next to the 3rd, 6th, and 9th steps
  4. Measure the vertical distance between the 3rd and 9th steps (in meters)
  5. Take the weight of the participant (in kg)
  6. Have the participant run to the steps and take the steps 3 at a time (so they land on the 3rd, 6th, and 9th step)
  7. Start the stopwatch when the participants's foot lands on the 3rd step
  8. Stop the stopwatch when the participant's foot lands on the 9th step.
  9. Record the time
  10. Calculate the values using the Magaria-Kalamen formula (result in watts)

MARGARIA, R. et al. (1996) Measurement of muscular power (anaerobic) in man. J. Appl. Physiol, 21, p. 1662�1664 KALAMEN, J. (1968) Measurement of maximum muscle power in man. Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, Columbus.

Vertical Jump Test

Resources

  • A Wall
  • Marker
  • A tape-measurer
  • Weight scale

Steps

  1. Measure the standing reach height of the participant. The standing reach height is the heightest point the participant can reach with both feet flatly on the ground
  2. The participant attempts to touch the wall at the highest point of their jump. The best of 3 attempts are recorded as the total jump height
  3. The vertical jump height is record as total jump height - standing reach height
  4. Power or Work can be calculated using the relevant values recorded during the test

Note: According to some sources, the average height is taken to be the jump height

Sargent, D.A. (1921) "The Physical Test of a Man". American Physical Education Review, 26, p. 188-194

VO2 Tests

Balke Treadmill Protocol

Male protocol

  1. Set treadmill speed at 3.4 mph (91.1 meters/minute) and the grade at 0% during the first minute of exercise
  2. After 2 minute2 of exercise, increase the grade to 2%
  3. After every minute thereafter, increase the grade by 1%

Pollock et al. (1976)

Female protocols

  1. Set treadmill speed at 3.0 mph (91.1 meters/minute) and the grade at 0% during the first minute of exercise
  2. After 3 minute of exercise, increase the grade to 2%
  3. After every 3 minutes thereafter, increase the grade by 2.5%

POLLOCK et al. (1982) Comparative analysis of physiologic responses to three different maximal graded exercise test protocols in healthy women. American Heart Journal, 103 (3), p. 363-373

Bruce Treadmill Protocol

Resources

Steps

  1. The treadmill is initially set at 1.7mph at 10% grade
  2. The treadmill stays at 1.7mph and 10% grade for the first 3 minutes of the test (stage 1)
  3. At the beginning of minutes 4-6 (Stage 2), increase the grade by 2% (to 12% grade) and the speed by 0.8 mph (to 2.5 mph)
  4. In each stage thereafter, increase the grade by 2% and the speed by 0.8mph or 0.9 mph until the client reaches exhaustion

Protocol Source Bruce, Kusumi and Hosmer (1973)

Ebbeling Treadmill Test

A single-stage treadmill walking test developed by Ebbeling and colleagues for estimating VO2max of low-risk, healthy adults 20-59 years. Walking speed is individualized and ranges from 2.0 to 4.5 mph depending on the participant's age, gender, and fitness level.

Steps

  1. Set a walking pace during a 4 minute warm-up at 0% grade. The warm-up work bout should produce a HR within 50% to 70% of the individual's age-predicted HRmax.
  2. Participant briskly walks at the selected pace for an additional 4 minutes at 5% grade. Record the steady-state HR duringat the elevated state
  3. Use the recorded steady-state HR, speed (mph), age (years), and gender in the provided VO2Max equation to estimate VO2Max

Ebbeling, Cara B., Ann Ward, Elaine M. Puleo, Jeffrey Widrick, and James M. Rippe. "Development of a Single-stage Submaximal Treadmill Walking Test." Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 23.8 (1991): n. pag. NIH. Web. 5 Nov. 2016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1956273.

Fox Single-stage Cycle Ergometer Test Protocol

Steps

  1. Have the participant perform a single exercise for 5 minutes.
  2. measure th participant's HR at the end of the fifth minute of exercise and use it in the VO2Max prediction equation.
  3. To estimate VO2Max, use the Fox prediction equation for submaximal tests, and the ACSM equation for maximal tests

Standard Error of Estimate (test): +/- 246 mL/min Standard Error of Estimate (prediction): +/- 7.8%

Cooper Distance Run Protocol

The Cooper VO2Max test is used to assess a participant's aerobic endurance and to estimate their VO2Max.

Goal: Run as far as possible in 12 minutes

  1. Athlete warms up for 10 minute
  2. The athlete runs around a 400m track until 12 minutes has elapsed
  3. Record the distance (in meters) the participant covered to the nearest 10 meters
  4. Insert the distance into the formula to obtain the VO2Max in mL/kg/min

Conditions:

  • Between 50 and 75° F (10 to 25°C) with 75% maximum humidity.
  • On a standard 400 m tartan track or similar.
  • The candidate should not suffer from respiratory problems.

Notes:

  • For personal trainers, the Cooper Test, when carried out on a treadmill, is a reliable and repeatable method for measuring a client's progress.
  • The test is not considered to be useful for untrained pupils at all ( Library of the Heidelberg University: Evaluation of the COOPER-Tests from a performance-physiological perspective)

COOPER, K.H. (1968) A means of assessing maximal oxygen intake. JAMA. 203, p. 135-138

9 or 12 Minute Run Tests

Resources

  • 400m track (indoor or outdoor)
  • Stopwatch
  • Weighing scales
  • Heart rate (HR) monitor

Steps

  • Instruct your clients to run as far as possible. Walking is allowed, but the objective of the test is to cover as much distance as possible in either 9 or 12 minutes.
  • At the end of the test, calculate the total distance covered (in meters) and use the appropriate equation to calculate VO2Max.

George 1 mile jog Test

A submaximal 1 mile track jogging test for 18-29 year old men and women.

Resources

  • 400m track (indoor or outdoor)
  • Stopwatch
  • Weighing scales
  • Heart rate (HR) monitor

Steps

  1. Measure and record the weight of the athlete
  2. Athlete warms up for 2-3 minutes to help establish asuitable pace
  3. The athlete jogs one mile at a comfortable steady pace, ensuring that they take longer than 8 minutes (for males) or more than 9 minutes (for females), and the post-exercise heart rate (HR) (4 x 15 second count) should be under 180 beats/minute (bpm)
  4. After the athletes completes a mile, record the time (in minutes) and the athlete's heart rate in beats/minute (bpm) and plugin to the appropriate equation.

George, J. D. et al. VO2max estimation from a submaximal 1-mile track jog for fit college-age individuals. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 25, 401-406, 1993.

1.5 mile Run/walk Test

The 1.5 mile run/walk test conducted on a 400m track. A heart rate monitor can be used to ensure the participant maintains a steady exercise pace during the test.

Resources

  • 400m track or flat measured area
  • Stopwatch
  • HR monitor (optional)

Steps

  1. Tell the participant to cover the 1.5 miles in the fastest possible time. Walking is allowed.
  2. Instruct the participat to keep their target heart rate (HR) between 60% 90% HRMax.
  3. Plugin the gender, body mass (kg), and elapsed time into the relevant equation

Equations

George et al.(1993) - 1.5 mile run/walk Larsen et al.(2002) - 1.5 mile run/walk

Rockport walk Test

The Rockport Test can be used for males and females with poor fitness who would be unable to complete a similar distance run test. There are no age-constraints on this test.

Resources

  • A flat, marked track
  • A stopwatch
  • A heart rate monitor (optional)
  • Bodyweight scale

Steps

  1. Measure participant body weight, in lb
  2. Have the participant walk 1 mile as fast as possible
  3. Upon completing the mile, measure the participant's heart rate.
  4. Calculate VO2 using the relevant formula for males/females

Equations

Kline et al.(1987) - 1.0 mile walk

Kline, Greg M., John P. Porcari, Robert Hintermeister, Patty S. Freedson, Ann Ward, Robert F. Mccarron, Jessica Ross, and James M. Rippe. "Estimation of &OV0312;O2max from a One-mile Track Walk, Gender, Age, and Body Weight." Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 19.3 (1987): n. pag. Web.

McSwegin P, Plowman S, Wolff G, Guttenberg G. The validity of a one-mile walk test for high school age individuals. Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science 1998;2:47-63.

Step Tests

Astrand-Rhyming step test

The Astrand-Rhyming Bench stepping test formula for estimating VO2Max

Resource

  • A step 16.25 inches or 413 cm high
  • Stopwatch
  • Metronome

Steps

  1. Athlete warms up for 10 minutes
  2. Set a metronome for the required steps/minute (Male: 24/min, Female: 22/min)
  3. Start the test
  4. Ensure participant maintains required steps/minute
  5. After 3 minutes, stop the test and record the particant's heart rate for 15 seconds
  6. Calculate the VO2Max based on the heart rate

Marley, W. P., and A. C. Linnerud. "Astrand-ryhming Step Test Norms for College Students." British Journal of Sports Medicine 10.2 (1976): 76-79. NIH. Web. 5 Nov. 2016. <http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/10/2/76.long>.

Queen's College step test

The Queen's College Step Test formula for estimating a participant's VO2Max.

Resource

  • A step 16.25 inches or 413 cm high
  • Stopwatch
  • Metronome

Steps

  1. Athlete warms up for 10 minutes
  2. Set a metronome for the required steps/minute (Male: 24/min, Female: 22/min)
  3. Start the test
  4. Ensure participant maintains required steps/minute
  5. After 3 minutes, stop the test and record the partican'ts heart rate for 15 seconds
  6. Calculate the VO2Max based on the heart rate

McARDLE, W.D. et al. (1972) Reliability and interrelationships between maximal oxygen uptake, physical work capacity and step test scores in college women. Medicine and Science in Sports, 4, p. 182-186

20m Shuttle Run

A popular alternative to distance running to estimate the aerobic fitness of children (8-19 years). Children run back and forth continuously on a 20m course. The running speed is set using a sound signal emitted from a pre-recorded tape.

Steps

  1. The starting speed is 8.5 km/hr
  2. Each minute, the speed increases by 0.5 km/hr until the participant can no longer maintain the pace
  3. The maximal speed (km/hr) and age (years) is plugged into the VO2max prediction equation.

NFL-255 Bench Press Test

In this test, a participant performs as many repetitions as possible of bench press at 225lb (102.058kg). The number of repetitions is then used in a 1-RM equation.

Note: The error in prediction increases when endurance performance exceeds 10 repetitions.

Mayhew, Jerry L., John S. Ware, Michael G. Bemben, Bill Wilt, Tom E. Ward, Bill Farris, Joe Juraszek, and John P. Slovak. "The NFL-225 Test as a Measure of Bench Press Strength in College Football Players." Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 13.2 (1999): 130-34. Web.

Mayhew JL1, Ware JS, Cannon K, Corbett S, Chapman PP, Bemben MG, Ward TE, Farris B, Juraszek J, Slovak JP. 2002. "Validation of the NFL-225 test for predicting 1-RM bench press performance in college football players." J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2002 Sep;42(3):304-8.

Equations

  • mayhewFootball