Performance Analysis in Sport - Fitness testing

Equipment required: Oxygen and carbon dioxide analysers, accurate treadmill/cyclergometer. Expired air may be collected and volume measured via Douglas bags or a Tissot tank, or measured by a pnuemotach or turbine ventilometer.

• Description / procedure:
• Exercise is performed on an appropriate ergometer (treadmill or cycle).
• The exercise workloads are selected to gradually progress in increments from moderate to maximal intensity.
• Through a computerised gas analyser, oxygen uptake is calculated from measures of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the expired air and minute ventilation, and the maximal level is determined at or near test completion
• Scoring: Results are presented as either l/min (liters per minute) or ml/kg/min (mls of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute). The athlete is considered to have reached their VO2max if several of the following occurred: a plateau or 'peaking over' in oxygen uptake, maximal heart rate was reached, attainment of a respiratory exchange ratio of 1.15 or greater (when more carbon dioxide is being produced than oxygen inhaled).
• Advantages: Accuracy of measurement - This test actually measures body oxygen consumption, which other tests try to estimate. You can also get measurement of maximum heart rate by recording heart rate during the test.
• Disadvantages: Relatively large time and costs required
• Other comments: There is often variability between the performances of different analysis systems. Stringent calibration is necessary for both the expired gas and ventilation measurement systems.
• Caution: This test is a maximal test, which requires a reasonable level of fitness. It is not recommended for recreational athletes or people with health problems, injuries or low fitness levels

Wingate Test Protocol

• The Wingate test requires the performer to pedal a cycle ergometer for 30 seconds, at an "all out" pace (4.5% or 7.5% of the performers weight is added to the front flywheel to provide pedaling resistance).
• On commencing the test (usually by a verbal signal from the tester), the individual pedals "all out" with no resistance.
• Within 3 seconds, the predetermined fixed resistance is applied to the flywheel and remains there for the duration of the 30-second test.
• Although the actual Wingate test is performed in a 30-second time span, the individual is advised to complete a warm-up (3-5 minutes), followed by a recovery cool down (1-2 minutes).
• Resistance - There are two primary bicycle ergometers used for the Wingate test
• This procedure is repeated several times to get a dependable underwater weight measure.
• The Fleisch ergometer and the modified Monark ergometer.
• Fleisch ergometer resistance = 0.045 kg per kilogram of body weight
• Monark ergometer resistance = 0.075 kg per kilogram of body weight.
• E.g. On the Monarch ergometer a 70kg athlete the flywheel resistance would equal 5.25kg (70 x 0.075).

• Equipment required: Hydrostatic stainless steel weighing tank, including underwater mounted chair and scale, weighted belt and nose clip.
• Description / procedure:
• The weight of the athlete is first measured.
• The athlete, in minimal clothing, then sits on a specialised seat, expels all the air from their lungs, and is lowered into the tank until all body parts are emerged.
• The person must remain motionless underwater while the underwater weight is recorded.
• This procedure is repeated several times to get a dependable underwater weight measure.
• Scoring: (This exact equation does not need to be known for the examinations) Body Density = Wa / (((Wa - Ww) / Dw) - (RV + 100cc)), where Wa = body weight in air (kg), Ww = body weight in water (kg), Dw = density of water, RV = residual lung volume, and 100cc is the correction for air trapped in the gastrointestinal tract. The body density (D) can be converted to percent bodyfat (%BF) using the Siri equation
• Advantages: Underwater weighing is the most widely used test of body density and in the past was the criterion measure for other indirect measures.
• Disadvantages: The equipment required to do underwater weighing is expensive. The tanks are mostly located at university or other research institutions, and there is generally not easy access for the general population.
• Validity: This method may underestimate body fat percentage of athletes as they tend to have denser bones and muscles than non-athletes.

• Equipment required: start/stop timing gates or stopwatch non-slip running surface, cone markers or lines
• Description / procedure:
• Description / procedure:
• The athlete runs from the 15 meter marker towards the line (run in distance to build up speed) and through the 5 m markers, turns on the line and runs back through the 5 m markers.
• The time is recorded from when the athletes first runs through the 5 meter marker, and stopped when they return through these markers (that is, the time taken to cover the 5m up and back distance - 10 m total). The better of two trails is recorded.
• The turning ability on each leg should be tested. The performer should be encouraged to not overstep the line by too much, as this will increase their time.