1. STUDY DESIGN

2. 6.2.1 Outline the importance of specificity, accuracy, reliability
and validity with regard to fitness testing.
Specificity: the test must assess
the individuals fitness for the
activity or sport in question.
Ex. An endurance running test
would not be used to assess
improvement in cycling endurance.

3. 6.2.1 Outline the importance of specificity, accuracy,
reliability and validity with regard to fitness testing.
Reliability: refers to the
degree to which a test is
consistent and stable in
measuring what it is intended
to measure.
*test should produce the same
results if repeated.

4. 6.2.1 Outline the importance of specificity, accuracy,
reliability and validity with regard to fitness testing.
Validity: refers to the degree to which the test
actually measures what it claims to measure.
Conclusions made on the basis of test scores are
appropriate.
•Also, can be expressed as your correlation coefficient
(strong relationship when close to 1 or -1)

5. 6.2.1 Outline the importance of specificity, accuracy,
reliability and validity with regard to fitness testing.
Accuracy: is incorporated into test validity and
reliability and covers the accuracy to which
measurements can be recorded.

6. Reasons for Fitness Testing
Why do athletes or anyone participate in fitness tests?
* Identify strengths and weaknesses of an athlete
* To evaluate the effectiveness of a training program
* To measure fitness levels following injury or offseason
* To assist in setting goals

7. 6.2.1 Outline the importance of specificity,
accuracy, reliability and validity with regard to fitness
testing.
Exercise
• Discuss the Fitnessgram Test and how specific, accurate,
reliable, and valid this test really is.
• Aerobic Capacity - Pacer Test
• Muscular Endurance - Sit-ups
• Muscular Strength - Push-ups
• Hamstring Flexibility - Sit and Reach Test
• Body Composition – Skinfold Caliper Test

8. Factors Which May Affect Fitness
Tests
What kind of factors would influence fitness tests or any
field test?
*time of day
*weather conditions
*environment (surface, noise, people)
*different. assessor
*athlete’s emotion, health, hydration
*time of last meal
*medication

9. Study Design
Looking at Statistical information and correlations does not
in itself determine causality.
Students should include a demonstration of causality in
experimental results by the inclusion of:
•control groups
•randomization
•placebo
•blinding and double-blinding
•statistical analysis

10. 6.2.2 Discuss the importance of study design in the context of
the sport and exercise sciences.
• Interested in cause and effect experiments
• Causality is the relation between
an event (the cause) and a second event
(the effect), where the second event is
understood as a consequence of the first.

11. 6.2.2 Discuss the importance of study design in
the context of the sport and exercise sciences.
• To make sure that our results are due the
expectations of the participant.
• Use these sites for reinforcement at home.
• http://skepdic.com/control.html
• http://www.bmj.com/content/321/7259/504
• Experimental and control groups are needed.
• A control group is compared to an experimental group
a test of a hypothesis.
• Why do we need two groups?

12. Study Design
• Another example is the idea that because people who eat
a lot of extra virgin olive oil live for longer, olive oil makes
people live longer. While there is some truth behind this,
you have to remember that most regular olive oil eaters
also eat a Mediterranean diet, have active lifestyles, and
generally less stress. These also have a strong influence,
so any such research program should include studies into
the effect of these - this is why a research program is not
always a single experiment but often a series of
experiments.

13. 6.2.2 Discuss the importance of study design in
the context of the sport and exercise sciences.
• When performing a cause and effect experiment
participates must be selected in a process called
randomization, i.e. randomly allocate individuals into
groups.
• We also want to ensure that the start groups are fairly
matched by conducting pre-tests.

14. 6.2.2 Discuss the importance of study design in
the context of the sport and exercise sciences.
• Placebo- participant is taking a treatment that will
not affect performance.
• Participants do not know what group they are part
of which is called blinding the participate.
• Double blinding experiments blind the participate
and the experimenters.

15. 6.2.2 Discuss the importance of study design in
the context of the sport and exercise sciences.
• Questions to consider when designing: are we
sure that any changes in the data is due to the
cause and effect? Is there a learning or
habituation effect?

16. 6.2.3 Outline the importance of the
Physical Activity Readiness
• Questionnaire (PAR-Q).
• A questionnaire that individuals who undertake physical fitness tests must be asked to complete before undergoing the tests.
• Basically it is important to do to make sure the individual is physically healthy. If they answer “Yes” to any question they should see a doctor first.
• Use these websites to reinforce the PAR-Q
• http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/sth-evs/english/parq.htm
• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1330274

17. 6.2.4 Evaluate field, laboratory,
submaximal and maximal tests of human
performance.
• As scientists we need to use what we have
available.
• Laboratory tests will more than likely be
more accurate and reliable versus field
tests.
• But do we have the instruments to collect
the data

18. Laboratory Tests
Advantages:
*controlled environment
*sport specific
equipment
*simulate sport’s
demands
Disadvantages:
*not always accessible
*limited value assessing
team sports
*not conducted in the
sport environment
6.2.4 Evaluate field, laboratory,
submaximal and maximal tests of human
performance.

19. 6.2.4 Evaluate field, laboratory,
submaximal and maximal tests of human
performance.
•Field Tests
advantages:
*specific to the sport
*conducted in the
sporting environment
disadvantages:
*environment can alter
test results
*much planning in
testing administration

20. 6.2.4 Evaluate field, laboratory,
submaximal and maximal tests of human
performance.
• When testing humans we want to know the maximum
they can do. At times the tests, e.g. the maximal weight
they can lift is not appropriate for the individual.
• For an example, a younger or elderly individual who is
not used to undertaking maximal exercise, thus, stopping
before reaching their maximum.
• Sub-maximal tests can be done and then calculate the
persons maximum

21. 6.2.4 Evaluate field, laboratory,
submaximal and maximal tests of human
performance.
•Submaximal Tests: the athlete works below maximum
effort and data is extrapolated to estimate maximum
capacity. (ex. Step test)
advantages:
*prevents injury over exertion
disadvantages:
*depends on extrapolation
*small measurement inaccuracies can result in large
discrepancies

22. 6.2.4 Evaluate field, laboratory,
submaximal and maximal tests of human
performance.
•Maximal Tests: athlete works at maximum effort or to
exhaustion. (ex. Beep test)
Advantages
*measurements can be more accurate
Disadvantages
*risk of injury and over exertion
*difficult to ensure the athlete is working to max.
*effort depends on athlete’s motivation

23. Study Design
• Define a problem and select Variables
• Formulate a focused problem/research question and identify the
relevant variables.
• Control Variables- design a Method for effectively controlling
variables
• Develop a Method for Collecting data - student develops a
method that allows for collection of sufficient, relevant data
• Examples: Experiment – Questionnaire – Observation

24. Study Design
• The independent variable is the manipulated variable. No more
than one or two.
• This is the factor manipulated by the researcher, and it produces
one or more results, known as dependent variables.
• A scientist manipulates an independent variable, to influence a
dependent variable, or variables.
• A well-designed experiment normally incorporates one or
two independent variables, with every other possible factor
controlled. There may be more than two dependent variables in
any experiment.

25. Study Design
• For example, a researcher might wish to establish the
effect of temperature on the rate of plant growth;
temperature is the independent variable. They could
regard growth as height, weight, number of fruits
produced, or all of these. A whole range of dependent
variables arises from one independent variable.

26. Study Design
• In any experimental design, the researcher must determine
that there is a definite causal link between the independent
and dependent variable.
• Controlled variables are used to reduce the possibility of
any other factor influencing changes in the dependent
variable, known as confounding variables.
• In the above example, the plants must all be given the
same amount of water, or this factor could obscure any link
between temperature and growth.

27. Study Design
• The relationship between the independent variable and
dependent variable is the basis of most statistical tests,
which establish whether there is a correlation between the
two. The results of these tests allow the researcher to
accept or reject the null hypothesis, and draw conclusions.

28. 6.2.1 Outline the importance of specificity,
accuracy, reliability and validity with regard to fitness
testing.
Exercise
• Discuss the Fitnessgram Test and how specific, accurate,
reliable, and valid this test really is.
• Aerobic Capacity - Pacer Test
• Muscular Endurance - Sit-ups (Mariela)
• Muscular Strength - Push-ups (Emily)
• Hamstring Flexibility - Sit and Reach Test (Valeria)
• Body Composition – Skinfold Caliper Test (Mr. Koene)
Use the following site to complete this exercise
• http://www.topendsports.com/testing/fitnessgram.htm

29. Aerobic Capacity - Pacer Test
• Specific- testing athletes aerobic endurance
• Accurate- Cadence is used and teacher counts how many
shuttles students completes
• Reliable- has its defaults because it depends on how strict
the tester is and practice
• Valid- it does measure aerobic capacity
• Limitations: students can become better with time, student
motivation, teacher miscounts do students cross live every
single time.

30. Body Composition – Skinfold Caliper
Test
• Specific- Uses measurements to calculate body
composition
• Accurate- Calipers are extermely accurate but it depends
on experience.
• Reliable- the reliability of skinfold measurements can
vary from tester to tester depending on their skill and
experience.
• Valid-using skinfold measurements is not a valid predictor
of percent body fat, however they can be used as a
monitoring device to indicate changes in body composition
over time.
• Limitations-caliper experience

31. • FitnessGram helps achieve goals by applying easy-to-use
technology to conduct fair and accurate fitness
assessments and easily record the results, set
individualized goals for students, give students
responsibility for managing and recording their own
activities, create detailed reports of progress and results
for students, parents, and administrators help students
and parents understand the value of physical activity.