The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD).
The document discusses the AAPHERD Youth Fitness Test, which was developed in 1958 by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD) to assess the fitness levels of American youth. It describes the original 6 test items (pull-ups, sit-ups, shuttle run, standing broad jump, 50-yard dash, 600-yard run/walk). The test was revised in 1965 and 1975. The final 1976 version kept the same 6 items but standardized administration procedures. Each item is described in detail, outlining what fitness component it evaluates like muscular strength, endurance, speed, agility, or cardiovascular endurance. The test was intended to be completed
The seven test items were designed to Measure strength, abdominal strength, Speed, Agility, Leg power, Arm power, and Endurance.
The Test items were:
1. Pull-ups
2. Sit-ups
3. Shuttle runs.
4. Standing broad jump
5. 50-yard dash
6. Softball throw, and
7. 600-yard Run-walk.
1. FLEXED-ARM HANG TEST
The flexed arm hangs test measures upper body strength and endurance. This following describes the procedures as used in the President’s Challenge Fitness Awards and Fitness Gram. See also the flexed arm hang test used for the Marines and the flexed arm hang used for the International Physical Fitness Test.
Purpose:
To measure upper body strength and endurance by timing how long they can hang with the chin above the bar.
Equipment required:
Stopwatch, Horizontal overhead bar at an adequate height, stool (optional).
Procedure:
Grasp the overhead bar. The grip for the President’s Challenge allows using either an overhand grip (palms facing away from body) or underhand grip (palms facing toward body); while for Fitness Gram the overhand grip is required. Position the body with the armed flexed and the chin clearing the bar. The chest should be held close to bar with legs hanging straight. The subjects should be assisted to this position. The subject holds this position for as long as possible. Only one trial is required.
Scoring:
The total time in seconds is recorded - timing is stopped when student’s chin touches or falls below the bar. The type of grip used should also be recorded with the results.
2. SIT-UP
Purpose:
The curl up test measures abdominal muscular strength and endurance of the abdominals and hip-flexors, important in back support and core stability.
Equipment required:
Flat, clean, cushioned surface, stopwatch, recording sheets and pen. Some variations will also require the following: curl up strips, a tempo device (a metronome, drums, a sit up beep test mp3, the PACER test cd which includes cadences for a sit up test).
Sit-Up Technique:
Described here are the commonly used methods and some general guidelines. The subject lies on a cushioned, flat, clean surface with knees flexed, usually at 90 degrees. Some techniques may specify how far the feet are from the buttocks, such as about 12 inches. A partner may assist by anchoring the feet to the ground. The position of the hands and arms can affect the difficulty of the test. They are generally not placed behind the head as this encourages the subject to stress the neck and pull the head forward. The hand may be placed by the side of the head, or the arms crossed over the chest, reaching out in front. Some protocols use curl up strips or other marks on the ground to slide the hands along and indicate how much to curl up. The subject raises the trunk in a smooth motion, keeping the arms in position, curling up the desired amount. The trunk is lowered back to the floor so that the shoulder blades or upper back touch the floor.
Procedure:
A common method of performing a sit up fitness test is to record the maximum number of sit ups in a certain time period, such as 30 seconds (Euro fit Sit Up Test), one minute (President’s Challenge Curl Up Test, home sit up) or two minutes (e.g. in the US Army and US Marines and US Navy). Alternatively, the test may be performed at a set tempo, and the maximum number of total sit ups is recorded (Fitness gram curl up, partial sit up test, NHL curl up beep). For this method, a metronome may be set at the desired tempo, or an audio tape or cd with a recording of the pace may be used. The NCF Abdominal Curl Conditioning Test takes this a step further, and has a tempo test that progressively gets faster, much like the running beep test.
Scoring:
The completion of one complete curl up (up and back) counts as one. The sit-up must be performed correctly for it to be counted. For the tempo tests, the test is continued until the subject cannot maintain the rhythm or has reached the target number for the test.
3. SHUTTLE RUN TEST
This test describes the procedure as used in the President’s Challenge Fitness Awards. The variations listed below give other ways to also perform this test.
Purpose:
This is a test of speed and agility, which is important in many sports.
Equipment required:
Wooden blocks, marker cones, measurement tape, stopwatch, non-slip surface.
Procedure:
This test requires the person to run back and forth between two parallel lines as fast as possible. Set up two lines of cones 30 feet apart or use line markings, and place two blocks of wood or a similar object behind one of the lines. Starting at the line opposite the blocks, on the signal “Ready? Go!” the participant runs to the other line, picks up a block and returns to place it behind the starting line, then returns to pick up the second block, then runs with it back across the line.
Scoring:
Two or more trails may be performed, and the quickest time is recorded. Results are recorded to the nearest tenth of a second.
4.
STANDING BROAD JUMP
The Standing long jump, also called the Broad Jump, is a common and easy to administer test of explosive leg power. It is one of the fitness tests in the NFL Combine. The standing long jump was also once an event at the Olympic Games and is also an event in Sports Hall competitions in the UK.
Purpose:
To measure the explosive power of the legs
Equipment required:
Tape measure to measure distance jumped, non-slip floor for take-off, and soft-landing area preferred. Commercial Long Jump Landing Mats are also available. The take-offline should be clearly marked.
Procedure:
The athlete stands behind a line marked on the ground with feet slightly apart. A two-foot take-off and landing is used, with swinging of the arms and bending of the knees to provide forward drive. The subject attempts to jump as far as possible, landing on both feet without falling backwards. Three attempts are allowed.
Scoring:
The measurement is taken from take-offline to the nearest point of contact on the landing (back of the heels). Record the longest distance jumped, the best of three attempts. The table below gives a rating scale for the standing long jump test for adults, based on personal experiences. See some athlete results for the long jump test. You can also use this calculator to convert cm to feet and inches.
Male | Female |
| ||
Rating | (cm) | (feet, inches) | (cm) | (feet, inches) |
Excellent | > 250 | > 8’ 2.5” | > 200 | > 6’ 6.5’ |
very good | 241-250 | 7’ 11” — 8’ 2.5” | 191-200 | 6’ 3” — 6’ 6.5’ |
above average | 231-240 | 7’ 7” — 7’ 10.5” | 181-190 | 5’ 11.5” — 6’ 2.5” |
Average | 221-230 | 7’ 3” — 7’ 6.5” | 171-180 | 5’ 7.5” — 5’ 11” |
below average | 211-220 | 6’ 11” — 7’ 2.5” | 161-170 | 5’ 3.5” — 5’ 7” |
Poor | 191-210 | 6’ 3” — 6’ 10.5” | 141-160 | 4’ 7.5” — 5’ 2.5” |
very poor | < 191 | 6’ 3” | < 141 | < 4’ 7.5” |
5. 50 METER DASH
Sprint or speed tests can be performed over varying. distances, depending on the factors being tested and the relevance to the sport. The 50 Meter Sprint is part of the International Physical Fitness Test, and their protocol is listed here.
Purpose:
The aim of this test is to determine acceleration and speed.
Equipment required:
Measuring tape or marked track, stopwatch, cone markers, flat and clear surface of at least 70 meters.
Procedure:
The test involves running a single maximum sprint over 50 meters, with the time recorded. A thorough warm up should be given, including some practice starts and accelerations. Start from a stationary standing position (hands cannot touch the ground), with one foot in front of the other. The front foot must be behind the starting line. Once the subject is ready and motionless, the starter gives the instructions “set” then “go.” The tester should provide hints for maximizing speed (such as keeping low, driving hard with the arms and legs) and the participant should be encouraged to not slow down before crossing the finish line.
Scoring:
Two trials are allowed, and the best time is recorded to the nearest 2 decimal places. The timing starts from the first movement (if using a stopwatch) or when the timing system is triggered and finishes when the chest crosses the finish line and/or the finishing timing gate is triggered.
6. SOFTBALL THROW
Purpose:
This test measures power, particularly of the upper body, and evaluates throwing distance and technique.
Equipment required:
Standard league softball (30.5 cm in circumference, weighing 178 grams), witches’ hats/ cones or marking tape, tape measure, clear open outdoor area for testing.
Procedure:
Mark a line from which the subject has to throw from. The starting or throwing position, and whether a run up is allowed, depends on which protocol is being used. The subjects must throw the ball without crossing the line. The dominant arm is used. If the line is crossed or the ball does not land in the target area the throw is deemed a foul. Two practice throws are allowed, and three measurements are made. The angle the ball is thrown is important. You may want to explain to the subject about the optimal angle for maximal distance, and to allow some practice attempts to work this out for themselves.
Throwing position:
There are four variations of the starting/throwing position. By stabilizing the body with the knees or feet in place, it reduces the contribution of skill and coordination to the results.
1. Knees in place throw - the throw is from the keeling position and the knees remain on the ground during the throw.
2. Feet in place throw - the feet remain flat on the ground during the throw.
3. One-step approach (Underkofler Softball Throw for Distance Test) - where one step may be taken before throwing.
4. Run up - a set distance (e.g. 10m) is allowed for a run up approach to the throwing line.
Scoring:
The distance from the starting line to where the ball first lands is recorded. The best result of three throws is recorded.
7. SIX HUNDRED-YARD RUN-WALK.
There are quite a few variations of the walking or running test as a measure of aerobic fitness. Here is a general description of this type of test. For specific instructions for a particular walk and run test.
Procedure:
A football field that was appropriately marked was used to hold the 600-yard run-walk. The pupil used a standing start and at command began the test. Walking was permitted, but the object was to cover the distance in the shortest possible time. Time was recorded in minutes and seconds.
Scoring:
The score is the number of distances performed in second’s shortest possible time.
No comments:
Post a Comment