Practical Exercise Physiology
Fitness Testing
Learning Objectives
1.
To understand what validity is.
2.
To understand what reliability is.
3.
To be able to recognise the validity and reliability of a variety of fitness
tests.
SJ Skills – People Skills (teamwork and communication)
Test Validity
To be valid, a test must assess what it is
intending to.
 Is the test specific for your sport? Is it
relevant? Is it too general?
 Does it only test the fitness component
that it is meant to? Are there other
factors involved?
Test Reliability
The test must give the same result if
repeated.
 Essential for fitness tests because it shows
that improvements are due to increased
fitness levels.
 A difference of +/- 5% is expected. Over
10% suggests the test is unreliable.
Fitness Tests
Task: working in groups of 3 you are going
to participate in a number of fitness tests.
As a group you need to complete every
test whilst also considering the validity
and reliability of these tests in relation to
your sport.
Multi-Stage Fitness Test
Fitness Component: stamina.
Procedure:
 Complete the 20m shuttle runs in time with the
‘bleeps.’
 If you arrive early at the end of a shuttle, you
must wait for the bleep before resuming running.
 Continue until you are physically unable to.
 Missing one bleep is fine, but two in a row means
you are out.
 Record score of level and sub level completed
(e.g. 8.2).
Grip Dynamometer
Fitness component: strength
Procedure:
 Hold grip dynamometer above head with
straight arm.
 Squeeze as you bring the dynamometer
down to your side.
 Record score and repeat 3 times.
Sit and Reach Test
Fitness component: flexibility.
Procedure:
 Sit with straight legs up against the bench.
 Reach fingers forward and hold.
 Measure from the ‘bobbles on bench.’ If
fingers are past this point give a ‘+ score’,
if behind a ‘– score.’
 Repeat 3 times.
Standing Broad Jump
Fitness Component: Power
Procedure:
 Stand with both feet behind line.
 Two footed jump as far as possible.
 Measure from the back of the feet.
 Record score and repeat 3 times.
20m Sprint Test
Fitness component: Speed
Procedure:
 Work with a partner.
 Sprint the 20m track whilst partner times
with stopwatch.
 Repeat 3 times.
Stork Stand
Fitness Component: Balance
Procedure:
 Work with partner.
 Place foot on line. Bring other leg up so that it is
flat against side of knee of standing leg.
 Close eyes (partner start stopwatch when eyes
close).
 Stop time if eyes open, balancing foot leaves line,
or other foot comes away.
 45s max.
 Repeat 3 times.
Anderson Ball-Catch Test
Fitness Component: Coordination
Procedure:
 Work with partner.
 Stand 2m from wall with tennis ball. Throw underarm
with one hand, catch with the other.
 Partner uses stopwatch and counts to record how
many successful catches are completed in 30s.
 A dropped ball does not mean that the test stops or
the scores reset, only that you do not score for that
throw.
 Repeat 3 times.
Ruler Test
Fitness Component: reaction time.
Procedure:
 Work with partner.
 Partner holds ruler whilst you place thumb and
forefinger either side of 30cm mark.
 Partner drops ruler without warning and you
must catch as quickly as possible.
 Record the score (30cm be the highest possible
score, indicating an immediate catch).
 Repeat 3 times.
Test Results, Reliability and Validity
Test
Multi-Stage
Fitness Test
Grip
Dynamometer
Sit and Reach
Test
Standing
Broad Jump
20m Sprint
Test
Stork Stand
Anderson
Ball-Catch
Test
Ruler Test
1
2
3
Reliability
Validity
Results
Discuss as a group the reliability and
validity of the tests that you completed.
 Remember to state why you felt the test
was/was not reliable or valid.
 What factors affect whether or not a test
is reliable or valid? Could a test have been
reliable or valid for some in the group but
not for others?

Exam Question
You are asked to assess the strength and
reactions of a tennis player using the grip
dynamometer and ruler tests.
Explain how suitable these tests are in this
situation in terms of their reliability and
validity. (6 marks)
Answer (mark your own)

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Grip dynanometer not specific to tennis (the movement
does not occur in tennis).
Whilst strength is important in tennis, hand grip strength is
not necessarily essential.
Does not assess strength of any other areas of the body.
Results gained through grip dynanometer are generally
reliable but not appropriate.
Ruler test not specific to tennis (this type of reaction does
not occur in tennis).
Whilst quick reactions are essential in tennis, it is a reaction
of the whole body and not just the fingers that is important.
Results gained through the ruler test are often unreliable as
there is great variation on repeated attempts.