Thoughts on Testing - Part Two

Do not use testing to:

Select a team; team selection should be based on results in the competitive arena of the actual sport. Tests can verify what you see or do not see in the competitive arena, but they should not be the sole criteria for team selection.

Predict performance. However it can give a statutes report as to progress toward a goal. Actual competition in the game, match or meet performance is dependent on so much more than the physical capacities identified through testing.

The criteria for testing is:

Reliable – The same results must be obtained each time by different testers

Valid in that the tests measure what they purport to measure. For example a speed test must be a test of speed not speed endurance.

Practical – The test must be easy to administer and interpret. Must be information that the coach and athlete can understand and use or it becomes testing for testing sake. Do not have so many tests that you gather more information than you can use. This will confuse all involved.

The challenge is to make testing meaningful to all concerned, the athletes, coaches, and medical support staff. Testing for feedback, verification and vindication. Competition is the highest form of testing. Test what you are training! If you are in power phase then your tests should reflect the emphasis on power training. Incorporate testing as often as possible. How? Change you perspective on testing. The simplest way to incorporate the concept of testing equals training and training equals testing is to time and measure everything that is reasonable to measure in a practice. It is obvious that in sports like swimming and track & field that are much more quantifiable that timing and measuring can easily be incorporated on a day-to-day basis. Essentially it is good record keeping that enables you to know where you are at all times, to assess progress toward a goal. This also enables you to set realistic goals and adjust the goals accordingly.