Fitness
The Fitness domain tests your knowledge of the components of fitness and how they are measured. You should be able to select a valid test, interpret scores and distinguish health-related from skill-related components.
Components and tests
- Health-related: cardiovascular endurance (Cooper 12-minute run, multistage fitness test), muscular strength (handgrip dynamometer, 1RM), muscular endurance (press-up or sit-up test), flexibility (sit-and-reach), body composition (BMI, skinfolds).
- Skill-related: speed (30 m sprint), agility (Illinois agility run), balance (stork stand), coordination (hand–eye coordination test), power (vertical jump), reaction time (ruler drop).
A test is valid if it measures the component it claims to measure; it is reliable if repeated trials give similar results. Standardise warm-up, surface, footwear and rest intervals.
Worked example
A candidate lifts 60 kg for one repetition in a back squat and wants to train at 75% of 1RM. 1RM = 60 kg; 75% = 0.75 × 60 = 45 kg. Use the calculated load for 8–10 repetitions, because 75% is a moderate-to-heavy resistance load.
Traps
Treating a vertical jump as a measure of strength rather than power; using a sit-and-reach score to judge cardiovascular fitness; failing to standardise test conditions; confusing reliability with validity.