6.2 Study Design - fitness testing - main factors

Is what you are measuring linked to your RQ? Is the fitness test related to the sport/athlete you are evaluating? Is it tailored to an individual?

Have you accounted for error? Have you used the same equipment? Have your helpers/assistants been trained properly?

Is your experiment measuring what you should be measuring? Are you measuring the right elements that need to be measured?

You should be able to do the same experiment again and again and should get the same results. If you do then the results are reliable ex. STDEV

A group separated from the rest of the experiment, where the independent variable being tested cannot influence the results.

The process of assigning participants to treatment and control groups, assuming that each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to any group.

A placebo is a pill, injection, or thing that appears to be a medical treatment but isn’t. One group gets the medical treatment and the other group get something like a sugar pill.

When the participants involved in the study don’t know certain information that could influence them which would effect the results.

When both the participants and observers in a study don’t know the exercise they are doing/watching is a test.

Controlled environment Sport specific equipment Simulate sport’s demands

Not always accessible Limited value assessing team sports Not conducted in the sport environment

Specific to the sport Conducted in the sporting environment

Environment can alter test results Much planning in testing administration

Measurements can be more accurate

Risk of injury and over exertion Difficult to ensure the athlete is working to max. effort Depends on athlete’s motivation

Prevents injury over exertion Can be applied to some population groups that cannot access maximal tests

Depends on extrapolation Small measurement inaccuracies can result in large discrepancies.