Analyse how environmental conditions can influence fitness test outcomes and explain strategies to minimise these effects when comparing results over time. (6 marks)
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Sample Answer
- Hot weather affects cardiovascular test results because the body works harder to cool itself, causing higher heart rates and making athletes feel more tired, which can reduce performance in tests like the multi-stage fitness test.
- High humidity makes it harder for sweat to evaporate and cool the body, further decreasing performance in endurance tests when combined with high temperatures.
- Cold environments reduce flexibility because muscles become stiffer, affecting results in tests like the sit-and-reach test unless athletes do a longer warm-up.
- Wind significantly affects outdoor running test results, with headwinds slowing sprint times and tailwinds artificially improving them, making comparisons between different testing days difficult.
- To reduce these effects, testing should be done indoors with controlled temperature when possible, ensuring conditions are similar for all testing sessions.
- When outdoor testing is necessary, record all weather conditions (temperature, humidity, wind) so these factors can be considered when interpreting changes in results over time.
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Sample Answer
- Hot weather affects cardiovascular test results because the body works harder to cool itself, causing higher heart rates and making athletes feel more tired, which can reduce performance in tests like the multi-stage fitness test.
- High humidity makes it harder for sweat to evaporate and cool the body, further decreasing performance in endurance tests when combined with high temperatures.
- Cold environments reduce flexibility because muscles become stiffer, affecting results in tests like the sit-and-reach test unless athletes do a longer warm-up.
- Wind significantly affects outdoor running test results, with headwinds slowing sprint times and tailwinds artificially improving them, making comparisons between different testing days difficult.
- To reduce these effects, testing should be done indoors with controlled temperature when possible, ensuring conditions are similar for all testing sessions.
- When outdoor testing is necessary, record all weather conditions (temperature, humidity, wind) so these factors can be considered when interpreting changes in results over time.