This article presents information about assessing speed and agility in a controlled environment with a test that is similar to the actual demands of a specific sport.
CoachesTesting and Evaluationperformance testagility testspeed testingassessment
From the virtual 2021 NSCA Coaches Conference, human performance specialists from the O2X Human Performance network discuss the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), including what it entails, how strength coaches can best prepare individuals for it, and the nutritional and mental demands of training for the test.
TSAC FacilitatorsCoachesNutritionProgram designTesting and EvaluationArmy Combat Fitness TestNational GuardSoldiers
This article is part of a continuing series of tactical strength and conditioning (TSAC) research reviews. It is designed to bring awareness to new research findings of relevance to tactical strength and conditioning communities.
TSAC FacilitatorsExercise ScienceNutritionProgram designTesting and EvaluationTacticalResearchResearch ReportTSAC
The countermovement jump (CMJ) is one of the most used performance assessments in strength and conditioning. Although numerous studies discuss the usability of different metrics in this test, this is often performed within the context of a specific aim. However, to our knowledge, no information currently exists providing practitioners with some over-arching recommendations on which metrics to choose when the purpose of using the test differs. This article discusses how the metrics selected to monitor during CMJ testing may differ when aiming to use it as a proxy for athletic performance, as part of neuromuscular fatigue monitoring, or as part of a test battery for return to performance in injured athletes.
Fitness testing uses a battery of protocols recognized by the scientific community as both reliable and valid, and it measures important fitness constructs such as aerobic endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, power, agility, flexibility, and balance.
CoachesExercise Sciencekinetic selectfitness testingfitness assessmentstactical strength and conditioning
Occupational police tests described in the literature can serve as indicators of the occupational performance of their employees. In addition, practitioners in charge of police training should develop and employ obstacle courses composed of critical work tasks, as they may be strongly related to tests of aerobic endurance, strength, muscular endurance, and agility.
TSAC FacilitatorsTesting and EvaluationTSACTactical TrainingPolice TestingOccupational Fitness Test
This article is part of a continuing series of tactical strength and conditioning (TSAC) research reviews. It is designed to bring awareness to new research findings of relevance to tactical strength and conditioning communities.
TSAC FacilitatorsNutritionProgram designTesting and EvaluationCarbohydratesSoldier Task PerformanceFirefightersSWATLaw EnforcementTactical Performance
Because fitness test results are part of performance evaluations, smaller service members have an advantage in terms of attaining promotions, despite evidence that suggests that greater body size, strength, power, and load carrying capacity is correlated with tactical performance.
TSAC FacilitatorsTesting and Evaluationbody mass biasreliability of fitness testsallometric scalingTSACfitness testing
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) 64th Annual Meeting was held in Denver, CO May 30 – June 3, 2017. Overall, there were more than 50 presentations with a military focus, an indication of the importance of this research. The following is a review of some of the presented research.
TSAC FacilitatorsExercise ScienceTSAC ReportTSACmilitarytactical strength and conditioning
In order to ensure consistent and accurate results, coaches must take certain steps to ensure proper data collection. It is also important to establish sound protocols prior to testing.
CoachesOrganization and AdministrationTesting and Evaluationtesting for sports performancehow to test agilityspeed testingagility testing