31010 - Evaluation in Sport

Learning outcomes

A complete understanding of motor evaluation and testing methods is necessary to plan individual training, assess the efficacy of training programs, and for talent identification. Furthermore, motor assessments and tests are important methodological tools in applied research, both in the field and laboratory protocols. This course aims to provide the students a complete knowledge of motor tests, regarding their theoretical foundations, influencing factors, and source of measurements errors.

Course contents

Evaluation General part

To attend this course, basic knowledge of physics, statistics, biomechanics, exercise anatomy and physiology are needed.

Statistics:

• Statistical foundations for motor evaluation:
• Frequency distributions: class interval, histograms and frequency curves
• The normal curve, skewness and kurtosis
• Central tendency measures: mean, median and mode
• Dispersion measures: minimum, maximum, range, standard deviation, coefficient of variation
• Correlation measures and the regression line
• Standard error of measurement

Physics :

• Concepts, formulae and measurement units of length, force, work, mechanical power, moment of force, angular momentum, moment of inertia.
• Measurement theory and the measurement error.

Biomechanics :

• Software, devices, and tools for motion analysis (optical and optoelectronical systems, dynamometers, accelerometers, electromyographs, electrogoniometers, microsensors).

Exercise anatomy and physiology :

• Muscle anatomy and physiology
• Energy systems in different exercises and sports
• Respiratory and circulatory mechanisms during the exercise

Introduction and general principles of motor evaluation

• Definition of evaluation and measurement
• The evaluation scales: nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio

The evaluation process

• Definition
• Aims of the evaluation in sport:
• For diagnostic purposes relative to the performance model of the specific sport (analysis of motor characteristics and weaknesses of the athlete)
• To prescribe the training load
• To assess the state of shape
• For prognostic purposes (talent identification)
• To assess the individual motor curriculum
• To analyse the psychological and pedagogic aspects linked to motivation of the athlete and the coach
• To plan and modify training and didactic programs
• To verify the partial goals and effects of training cycles
• Research and experimentation of training techniques
• Selection of evaluation methods and contents:
• Questionnaires
• Selection grids
• Test batteries and their temporal organisation
• Quantitative and qualitative analysis of sport tactic and technique through field and laboratory devices
• Bases of evaluation tools:
• Reliability (definition and methods: test-retest, parallel assessments, data splitting, reliability and variability coefficients)
• Objectivity (definition and determination of the objectivity coefficient)
• Validity (internal and external validity and validity measures)
• Content validity
• Criterion validity
• Structural validity
• Precision, costs and time required
• Organisation of a testing session:
• Devices and environments settings
• Trials succession
• Data collection sheets
• Data storage and elaboration on a spreadsheet
• Procedural norms and the protocol of the test:
• Technique of the motor execution
• Devices, measurement and observation systems
• Instruction and familiarisation of athletes
• Warm-up and motivation
• Reference norms:
• Normative sample and the frequency distribution curves
• Standard points
• Percentiles and other reference scales

Applied part Evaluation of endurance

• Technical characteristics of cycloergometers, treadmills, rowingergometers
• Differences between ergometric tests and field tests
• Relationships among mechanical power, speed and hear rate: assessment and data collection.
• Tutorial with heart rate monitors
• Devices calibration, validity and objectivity
• Aerobic and anaerobic (lactic and alactic) performances; factor influencing different kinds of performances
• Maximal tests in the field (Cooper and fixed distances) and in the laboratory (Wingate)
• Incremental tests: determination of VO2max and computation of VO2 relative to body mass; assessment of the anaerobic threshold using different methods (Conconi, Mader, and ventilatory thresholds)
• Submaximal test at constant load: Mognoni, Wilmor and verification of the anaerobic threshold
• Sport-specific ergometers

Evaluation of strength

• Physiological and biomechanical factors to consider for the evaluation of different strength categories
• Maximal strength: isometric dynamometry. Direct and indirect methods (maximum number of repetitions method) with the barbell and strength machines. Relative strength indices.
• Laboratory devices to assess dynamic and explosive strength: force plates, devices applied to machines and shoes.
• Isokinetic machines to assess strength, the strength/velocity relationship, endurance strength, electromyographic studies
• High- and long- jumps and throws as indices of explosive strength. Electronic devices for the assessment of flight and contact times (conductance mats, Optojump).
• Gym tests involving the repetition of movements of different body segments

Evaluation of the different aspects of speed

• Sprint
• Simple and complex motor reaction
• Cyclic and acyclic speed and the speed quotient according to Lehmann
• Maximal frequency tests: paper and pencil and tapping
• Examples of specific speed tests
• Evaluation of speed with optical methods (photocells, videorecorder)

Evaluation of flexibility

• Static and dynamic flexibility
• Examples of linear and angular tests for the main joints (hip, shoulder and back)
• Analysis of biomechanical factors limiting the movements in the most important tests

Evaluation of coordination capacities

• Dexterity circuits
• Kinesthetic differentiation: gradual muscle tension, range of movements
• Time-space orientation: estimation of distances, perception of trajectories etc.)
• Motor combination and coupling (eye-hand and foot coordination, coordination between body segments
• Balance: static (with the exclusion of different analysers), dynamic and flight
• Examples of linear and angular tests for the main joints (hip, shoulder and back)
• Rhythm: reproduction of rhythmical structures, rhythm of movements, constant rhythm
• Capacity of transformation

Methods for the evaluation of the technique

• Technical tests for the evaluation of sport gestures
• Technical questionnaires
• Observation grids, qualitative evaluation of videoclips and the reference model.
• Kinesthetic differentiation: gradual muscle tension, range of movements
• Quantitative evaluation of spatial, time, kinematic and dynamic parameters relative to the technical gesture through biomechanical analysis systems

Evaluation of complex tactical situations

• Evaluation of tactics through the recognizing of tactical situations
• Questionnaires and tactical problems to solve
• Manual and electronic scores and the match analysis

Readings/Bibliography

 -Tanner R., Gore C. Physiological Tests for Elite Athletes-2nd Edition. Human Kinetics, 2013.

- Reiman M. P., Manske R. C.  Functional Testing in Human Performance. Human Kinetics, 2009.        

- Weineck J.. L'allenamento ottimale. Calzetti Mariucci. Perugia 2009.

- Platonov V.. L'organizzazione dell'allenamento e dell'attività di gara. Calzetti Mariucci. Perugia 2004.

Merni F.. Le diverse forme di Valutazione applicate all'Atletica Leggera

In: Le basi scientifiche dell'allenamento in Atletica Leggera Centro Studi e Ricerche FIDAL. 2005 Roma

-Merni F.. La valutazione delle tecniche sportive.

Scuola dello Sport. Supplemento Luglio-Settembre 1991 pp.35-46

§ Articoli da Riviste forniti durante le lezioni.

§ Elaborati sviluppati e presentati degli allievi sui programmi di allenamento dei diversi sport.

Testi di Approfondimento

- Spiegel M. R. Statistica. Mc Graw-Hill Milano 1994.

- Winter E., Jones A., Davison R.C., Bromley P.D., Mercer T.H.Test per lo sport e l'attività fisica Calzetti Mariucci. Perugia 2010

Carbonaro G., Madella A., Manno R., Merni F., Mussino A.La valutazione nello sport dei giovani. Soc. Stampa Sportiva. Roma 1988.

Dal Monte A., Faina M. Valutazione dell'atleta. UTET 1999

Verranno forniti dall'insegnate articoli su argomenti specifici non sviluppati nei libri di testo

Teaching methods

Fronctal lectures, seminars, practical lessons on testing and data analysis

Assessment methods

Oral and practical evaluations

Teaching tools

The following practical lessons will be carried out:

 

1.       Field and laboratory endurance tests, with data analysis

2.       Direct and indirect strength tests, determination of the force/velocity curve

3.       Power and explosive strength tests

4.       Cyclic and acyclic rapidity tests, and reaction time tests

5.       Linear and angular flexibility tests

6.       Coordinative capacities tests

7.       Qualitative evaluation methods for sports techniques in the field

8.       Quantitative methods for the evaluation of sports technique

Analysis of testing and training data using the computer

Office hours

See the website of Franco Merni

See the website of Rocco Di Michele