Essay on Battery Test

Testing battery refers to the complex of test performed in a short period of time mainly one or two days to evaluate the ability of an athlete and give a more detailed feedback on his state. They include non-fatigue test which simply entails height and weight measurements, skinfolds, vertical and broad jumps to distinct fatigue level. It also involves agility test where the athlete is required to run 10 minutes forward, sidestep to point two then to point three before sidestepping to point one and running back to start/finish line before repeating the process is repeated once It assesses the flexibility, control and balance. The other battery test to apply is maximum strength test which simply refers to the maximum weight an individual can lift for only one repetition using one technique (Panissa et.al, 2018). It assesses strength ability. To add on the battery test, sprint test would be very important in evaluating the ability of an athlete. This requires the athlete to do 40-yard sprint to test the acceleration, maximum speed and speed endurance. Finally, muscular endurance test is as well an important parameter to test. It requires a 12 minute run and it helps assess the ability to carry out different activities.

Static stretching consist stretching muscles to the furthest point and holding to the position for around 20 seconds and it mainly focuses in a single group of muscle in each stretch. It is incorporated in the cool down routine mainly to prevent injury. On the other hand, dynamic stretching is an active movement based stretch where muscles as well as joints go through full range of motion. It helps to prepare your muscles and tendons for work. Finally, PNF is a form of training which focuses on flexibility and involves stretching and contracting of a specific group of muscles on target. It main purpose is to increase range of motion.

Spotting is an act of supporting a person during an excises to allow him lift or push more than he could normally do on himself. An athlete should be spotted when attempting a heavy lift and this should be done by standing behind them and under hooking your arms under their armpit then moving up and down with them as they do their lifting. An athlete should not be spotted when doing a deadlift or power centric Olympic move lift.

Seven steps of resistance training program design variables are; Needs analysis which occurs in two stages with an aim to determine need for both the athlete and the sport activity. Exercise selection which involves selection of exercise for resistance training program. They include core exercises, multijoint, single joint, assistance and structural exercises. Training frequencies which refers to the number of training sessions completed in a given period of time which is mainly one week. Exercise order which shows the order in which an athlete perform exercise during training. Training load and repetition which refers to the amount of weight assigned in an exercise and the volume or number of time an exercise is done. The sixth step is referred as volume which simply depict the amount of weight lifted or in other terms mechanical work done in a training session. The final and the seventh step is rest period which shows the time take to recover between sets and exercises.

The safety consideration and testing guidelines in regards to an individual’s strength prior to starting a plyometric training are; for a lower body plyometric, 1 rep mx squat should be 1.5 times their body weight to be strong to perform the exercise and for upper body plyometric the 1RM should be at least equal to individual’s weight. When it comes to balance, an individual should have a high level of body balance and spatial control to reduce chances of injuries during exercise (Vitrovsky et. al, 2018). This can be assessed by trying to stand on one leg for at least 30 seconds. The safety consideration in regard to physical characteristics should include the ability to physically mature such that he can be able to adhere to directives and his health status should be in level that allows him to exercise.

Agility training help improve speed, explosive power, coordination and specified skills in sport. It can be achieved through lateral plyometric jumps which enhances explosive power and balance, forward running, high knees drills which helps in foot coordination, lateral running, side to side to drills which improves knees and ankles stability and dot drill which improves on the leg strength (Dawes & J, 2019). On the other hand, to train for speed the following are exercised; interval run where you work at high speed break at a short period of time, recover and do it again. It can also be achieved through dot drills, long and slow runs and high knees.

The main difference between speed training and agility training is that in speed training you concentrate mainly on the interval or time spent to quickly across the ground without necessarily considering the body balance, proper posture and ability to start, stop or change direction quickly while on agility training the aspect of proper body posture, ability start, stop and to change directions are considered.

References

Panissa, V. L., Fukuda, D. H., de Oliveira, F. P., Parmezzani, S. S., Campos, E. Z., Rossi, F. E., … & Lira, F. S. (2018). Maximum strength development and volume-load during concurrent high intensity intermittent training plus strength or strength-only training. Journal of sports science & medicine, 17(4), 623.

Vetrovsky, T., Steffl, M., Stastny, P., & Tufano, J. J. (2019). The efficacy and safety of lower-limb plyometric training in older adults: a systematic review. Sports Medicine, 49(1), 113-131.

Dawes, J. (Ed.). (2019). Developing agility and quickness. Human Kinetics Publishers.