Discuss how different approaches to testing muscular power would be appropriate for three distinct population groups: adolescent athletes, recreational adult fitness participants, and elderly individuals. Justify your testing selections for each group. (6 marks)
--- 20 WORK AREA LINES (style=lined) ---
Show Answers Only
Sample Answer
Adolescent athletes
- The countermovement vertical jump provides a safe, reliable power assessment that correlates well with sport performance while minimising joint stress during physical development.
- Testing protocols for adolescents should emphasise proper technique over maximum effort initially, with progressive testing frequency to track development without creating undue performance pressure.
Recreational adult fitness participants
- These participants could be assessed using the standing broad jump, which requires minimal equipment and provides functional power data relevant to everyday activities.
- Adults benefit from contextualized testing that relates power metrics to personal goals rather than normative comparisons, encouraging intrinsic motivation and appropriate progression.
Elderly individuals
- These participants should be tested using functional power assessments like the chair stand test (five repetitions for time), which directly relates to important daily activities and independence markers.
- Testing for older adults must prioritise safety with adequate warm-up, clear instructions, and modifications as needed, while respecting that power decline is natural but still trainable.
Across all groups
- Testing should be presented as informative rather than evaluative, with emphasis on personal improvement rather than comparison to others.
Show Worked Solution
Sample Answer
Adolescent athletes
- The countermovement vertical jump provides a safe, reliable power assessment that correlates well with sport performance while minimising joint stress during physical development.
- Testing protocols for adolescents should emphasise proper technique over maximum effort initially, with progressive testing frequency to track development without creating undue performance pressure.
Recreational adult fitness participants
- These participants could be assessed using the standing broad jump, which requires minimal equipment and provides functional power data relevant to everyday activities.
- Adults benefit from contextualized testing that relates power metrics to personal goals rather than normative comparisons, encouraging intrinsic motivation and appropriate progression.
Elderly individuals
- These participants should be tested using functional power assessments like the chair stand test (five repetitions for time), which directly relates to important daily activities and independence markers.
- Testing for older adults must prioritise safety with adequate warm-up, clear instructions, and modifications as needed, while respecting that power decline is natural but still trainable.
Across all groups
- Testing should be presented as informative rather than evaluative, with emphasis on personal improvement rather than comparison to others.