About testing
Detailed instructions related to the fitness measurements are available in an online Test Manual. The knowledge on measurement details is pivotal to obtain valid results. Remember to foster the basic psychological needs and promote a mastery-oriented climate to facilitate enjoyment and diminish anxiety within students during fitness testing.
Here's the excerpt from original test manual:
- The recommended sequence to administer this battery would be: 1. Weight and height (BMI), 2. Waist circumference, 3. Handgrip and Standing long jump, 4. (last!) 20m shuttle run test.
- Instructions for the participants: Child must be instructed to abstain from strenuous exercise in the 48 h preceding the testing. To wear comfortable sport clothes and shoes is vital. A notable and constant level of encouragement is recommended to guarantee the maximum performance from the participants throughout the tests.
- Pre‐testing health screening: A pre‐testing screening should identify young people at high risk, and should be similar to the one typically used to allow the children and adolescents to take active part in the PE lessons. (see test manual for details).
- Safety: A comfortable chamber is highly recommended for the body composition measurements, where only test taker and tester should be present. A non‐slippery surface is necessary for the Standing long jump and a space of at least 25 m length is required for the 20m shuttle run test. Immediately after the body composition measurements and before continuing with the rest of the tests (handgrip strength, standing long jump, and 20m shuttle run), it is necessary to carry out a 5‐10 minutes warm up composed of jogging and stretching exercises.
FitBack is for all students. If the student cannot perform the FitBack measurements according to the Test manual for example due difficulties in seeing, hearing, moving, focusing, or understanding, a more suitable test can be selected to meet the student’s individual needs. You can find instructions and tips how to conduct testing in an adapted manner in the guide on Recommendations on physical fitness monitoring of children with special needs – Applied FitBack.