B4 Interpretation of fi tness test results


After completing a test, you need to be able to understand the results.


Normative data


Researchers conduct tests with diff erent groups of people and publish the results. This is called normative data.


The tests are run very carefully to make sure the results are reliable.


The number of participants in the research is called the sample size. If the sample size is big enough then we can get an idea of what is a good, poor and average result.


Normative data allows us to compare the results of our tests, to see how they compare.


Analysing and evaluating test results


We must be careful when using normative data:


• The normative data may be for a very specifi c age and gender. For example, if the normative data is for women aged 30–40 then we can’t use the data to judge the results of a 15-year-old boy.


• The normative data might have been collected from athletes. The people in the study might be athletes who are training all the time. Their scores in many tests will be much better than the average non-athlete and should not be used to compare with non-athletes.


• Some normative data is based on a small sample size. Care should be taken when assuming a small sample represents the general population.


To interpret our test results we need to:


• compare our result with the normative data, and check that we are using the right units (for instance, using metres not inches)


• fi nd the correct age and gender category


• see which category our result falls into, such as Very Good, Good, Average and so on.


168


below average


average Recommendations


Interpreting test results gives us an idea of how the participant’s fi tness compares with others. This allows us to recommend training that will benefi t them in their given sport or activity.


Example


For example, a striker in football receives the following:


• a good rating in the 30 metre sprint test


• an excellent rating in the 30 metre fl ying sprint test results


• an average rating in the Margaria- Kalamen power test.


The fi rst two results suggest that the striker has a fast top speed but her acceleration could be improved.


The third result suggests that working on increasing lower-body power would help with her acceleration.


So, a training plan that focused on power in the acceleration phase would really benefi t her game.


above average


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