BTEC Level 3 National Foundation
Diploma in Sport
Unit 3
Assignment 2
Professional Development in the
Sports Industry
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,Learning aim Key content areas Recommended assessment approach
A Understand the principles of fitness testing
A1 Validity of fitness tests A2 Reliability of fitness tests A3 Practicality and
suitability of fitness tests A4 Ethical issues associated with fitness screening A
report on the principles of fitness testing, including practicality, suitability and
ethics of fitness testing. A presentation justifying the selection of fitness tests
for a team or individual. A report that interprets the test results, analyses the
test administration and makes recommendations for improvements to test
administration practice, supported by observation and video evidence of
fitness testing administration and recorded results from each test. B Explore
fitness tests for different components of fitness
B1 Fitness tests to assess components of physical fitness B2 Fitness tests to
assess components of skill-related fitness B3 Planning of tests B4
Administration of tests C Undertake evaluation and feedback of fitness test
results
C1 Produce a fitness profile for a selected sports performer C2 Providing
feedback to a selected sports performer A written fitness profile for a selected
sports performer, supported by evidence of interpretation of fitness test
results related to the selected sports performer. A report that evaluates the
effectiveness of fitness testing and feedback methods, supported by
observation/ video/verbal recordings of feedback session to selected sports
performer.
, Unit 5 Application of Fitness Tests
Validity
Validity is the level of accuracy of the results and if the results are true. Validity ensures that
any gather date using fitness tests are both relevant to the sport and athlete and are
precise. If some tests are not valid then results could be inaccurate as it is not a true
representation as the wrong component of fitness may have been measured. For example,
to test someone’s aerobic endurance who plays football, a valid test would be the bleep test
or 12-minute cooper run test that is specific and relevant to a Footballer and train their
physical component of fitness which is Aerobic Endurance. The test being used should target
the component of fitness that is relevant to that particular performer’s sport. I will make
sure my tests are valid by choosing the right test to measure that component of fitness.
Overall, Validity relates to whether the test actually measures what it sets out to measure.
Therefore, in order for the results to be valid, the appropriate test must be selected.
Reliability
Reliability is the ability to which date or results of a test are consistent and the test can be
completed using the same method many times, reliability is the ability to carry out the same
test method and consistently obtain same or similar results to the previous test. Reliability
can be broken down into 2 different sections: Pre-test and during-test procedures.
Calibrating equipment
Checking the equipment’s ability to function is important. No equipment is damaged or
ruined and is the equipment well maintained and is fully operational in order to conduct the
fitness test. Ensure that equipment is calibrated before use to improve the reliability of the
fitness test. The wrong type of equipment may be selected for the fitness tests due to the
lack of skill or experience of the tester. For example, before the beginning of the Illinois
agility test the administrator must reset the stopwatch to 00:00. Before a fitness test I will
make sure to check that all equipment is put to the right calibration and check carefully for
any equipment that is not functioning properly or damaged.
Warm up
A warm-up is used to increase the body temperature in the performer, this then causes the
muscles pliability to increase along with the body getting ready for exercises, warm-ups are
crucial and play a crucial part when reducing the risks of injury this is crucial as injuries can
become deadly for some sporting performers. Participants who have conducted a warmup
will achieve a more reliable result. The scores will be different with a warmup conducted
and without a warm up conducted. Sit and reach test for example, if you warmed up before
you’d be more flexible as your muscles will be more pliable. For each participant they must
conduct the same warm up as it affects the reliability of results and allows results to be
consistent and similar. This is because most tests such as the anaerobic jump test require
, more pre-test exercise to allow the performers to be more prepared and readier for the
test.
Fitness tests practise or demonstration
Demonstration and well explanations by coaches or teachers can allow the sport performers
to have a greater understanding of what they should do during the fitness test, and this will
allow the test to become more reliable. The coach should also demonstrate the correct
technique the performers should do when being tested. This is crucial as this can massively
affect the reliability of the test as going into the fitness test participants should be familiar
with the techniques required. Therefore, coaches or demonstrators should be experienced
and skilled in the fitness test. The performers should then practise the techniques so that
any corrections to their poor techniques are made before the actual test by coaches or
teachers.
Skill level of tester
Tests should be handled by experienced testers. This is because they are experienced and
have more knowledge that allows them to follow the right procedures such as using the
correct methods for the tests and how to assess the results correctly. In order to increase
my skill levels and self-confidence I will familiarise myself with each test by researching the
tests and practising each test. If the tester has no experience the test could be carried out
wrong and could affect the reliability of the results for participants.
Adherence to test protocol
Ensure that you follow the same test with the same conditions, plans and procedures. This
will ensure that results are reliable, and it will then be easier to analyse data and assess the
performer’s sporting performance. Changing from different tests and not committing to a
certain test each time could lead to inaccurate results as the data is now invalid.
Constant conditions
Conditions in which the fitness test took place should be kept constant during repeats of
that fitness test. Some factors could be weather, surface, temperature and morale of
performers. Ensuring that conditions are kept constant will allow the data to be more
reliable. I will ensure then when I conduct my tests, I will make sure that conditions are
relatively similar or constant in all tests.
Appropriate rest periods between exercises
Sufficient rest periods between tests, if not they could underperform during following
exercises and could also lead to them facing the risk of being critically injured. Performers
will need to be fully rested especially for tests such as the 12-minute cooper run test which
requires a high aerobic endurance of the participant. When I am testing my sport performer,
I will create a testing protocol in a way that takes into consideration the intensity of the
tests and the recovery time needed after each test.