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KIN 425  

Measuring Parameters of Athletic Performance

Energy Systems

  • The immediate energy source for all exercise is adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP)
    • In the process of supplying energy to active muscles, ATP is converted to ADP, a lower energy compound
    • Only a limited amount of ATP can be stored in muscle cells. Thus, to permit muscular work longer than 2-3 seconds, a secondary source of energy must be provided to convert ADP back to ATP
  • Low Intensity
    • If the rate of work is not too high, ATP can be regenerated aerobically from ADP in the mitochondria of the cell through the energy-releasing oxidization of fuel (carbohydrates, fats and protein) to yield carbon dioxide and water.
  • High Intensity
    • The fastest secondary source of energy is the creatine phosphate (CP) stored in muscle cells. This is the predominate energy source for converting ADP to ATP during maximal exertions lasting up to 30 seconds (200m sprint), the limitation being the amount of CP stored in the cells.
    • For maximal exertions lasting approx. 30 sec to 2 min, the predominant secondary energy supply system is the lactic acid system. The time over which the lactic acid system can supply energy at a maximal rate (about 2 min) is limited, not by fuel availability, but by the body’s ability to buffer lactic acid build up.

Maximum Muscular Strength (Low speed Strength)

  • Maximum muscular strength is the force a muscle or muscle group can exert in one maximal effort, and it can be quantified by the maximum weight that can be lifted once (1RM) in exercises such as the bench press, the maximum force exerted isometrically (against an immoveable object) measured with a transducer, or the maximum force that can be exerted at a particular isokinetic speed.
  • Maximum muscular strength tests only tell you how strong you are at the weakest point along the exercises range of motion.
Anaerobic Power/Maximum muscular power (High-speed strength)
  • Is the ability of a muscle to exert high force while contracting at a high speed. Such strength and power tests are of very short duration, performed at maximal movement speeds, produce very high power outputs, and can be quantified by the 1RM of explosive exercises (power cleans, snatch or push jerk), the height of a vertical jump, or the time to spring up a stair case.
  • Anaerobic Capacity
    • The maximal rate of energy production by the combined phosphagen and lactic acid energy systems for moderate duration activities. Quantified as the maximal amount of work per second performed between 30 and 90 seconds

Aerobic Capacity

  • Is the maximum rate at which an athlete can produce energy through oxidation of energy resources (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) and is usually expressed as a volume of oxygen consumed per kilogram of body weight per minute (i.e., ml/kg/min).  This measure is called the athlete's VO2max.

Agility

  • Is the ability to stop, start, and change the direction of the body or body parts rapidly and in a controlled manner.
  • The ability to change speed (accelerate, decelerate) and change direction while maintaining balance, coordination and game speed.
  • Agility tests require proper footwear and a nonslip surface.

Speed

  • Is displacement per unit time and is typically quantified as the time taken to cover a fixed distance.  Tests of speed are not usually conducted over distances greater than 200m because longer distances reflect anaerobic or aerobic capacity more than absolute ability to propel the body at maximal speed.
  • The 40yd dash is a popular speed test for field sports.

Flexibility

  • Can be defined as the range of motion about a body joint.
  • A goniometer is typically used to measure flexibility about a joint by measuring joint angles.

Body Composition

  • The relative proportions by weight of fat and lean mass.

  • Helps an athlete understand how their body is composed; what percentage is fat weight and what percentage is lean weight.

Anthropometry

  • The science of measurement applied to the human body and generally includes measurements of height, weight, and selected body and limb girths.

  • Limb and body section girths are measured with a simple measuring tape.

 

Test Parameter Measured Equipment Needed
1RM Bench Press Maximum Muscular Strength Bench Press Bench, Barbell and Weights
1RM Back Squat Maximum Muscular Strength Squat Rack, Barbell and Weights
1RM Power Clean Maximum Muscular Power Open area (lifting platform), Barbell and Weights
Vertical Jump Maximum Muscular Power Open area, Jump Measuring Device (Vertec)
Sit-ups (max reps in 1 min) Local Muscular Endurance Open area, Timer/Watch
Beep Test or 1.5 mile run Aerobic Capacity Beep test CD or Tape, Boom Box, Cones and 20 meter area; for 1.5 mile run: 400m or 440yd track and a Watch
T-Test Agility 15yd x 15yd square open area, turf or gym floor, Measuring tape and 4 cones, and Timer/Watch
40-yd Sprint Speed 50-60yd open running lane (turf, grass or track), Clear Start and Finish Lines/Markers, Timer/Watch
Sit-and-Reach Flexibility Sit-and-Reach Measuring Box, Tester/Measurer
Chest Girth Anthropometry Body Measuring Tape
Thigh Skinfold Body Composition Skin Calipers, Qualified Tester
Body Weight Body Composition and/or Anthropometry Accurate Scale
20-yd Pro Agility Agility 12-yd x 5-yd open area, clean non-slip surface, shoes designed for lateral movement, Timer/Watch
300-yd Shuttle Anaerobic Capacity 60-yd open field or Gym space, (can be run using a 40-yd area), Start and End Line Markers, Timer/Watch