Sport performance testing and analysis |
UQ Sport, through its strong relationship with the School of Human Movement Studies, is in a unique position of being able to offer state-of-the-art sport science testing and analysis services to athletes and coaches throughout the sporting community.
A range of services including both field and laboratory testing is available to be implemented by qualified degree-trained staff. These tests include:
Laboratory testing
VO2 max test
A VO2 max test is an exercise test which will help you determine your cardiovascular potential by assessing how efficiently you can transport oxygen to working muscles during endurance training. This test can be used to monitor the effectiveness of your training and make any recommendations that will help maximize your potential. VO2 max can be determined through a number of physical evaluations. We will measure your VO2 max for cycling, running or rowing and teach you how to maximise your athletic potential to measure VO2 max directly. To find out more (PDF).
Anaerobic threshold test
A Lactate test allows athletes to take all of the guesswork out of training in order to maximize their performance. We will help you discover the point at which your body transitions from aerobic (in the presence of oxygen) to anaerobic (in the absence of oxygen) energy expenditure to accurately formulate your own personalized heart rate training zones. This will allow you to perform at your maximal potential before experiencing excessive muscle fatigue during endurance events. The anaerobic threshold can be established at the point at which lactic acid starts to accumulates in the muscles, is considered to be somewhere between 85% and 90% of your maximum heart rate.
Body composition testing
Anthropometric profiling is a useful measuring practice, whether you are an athlete who wants to assess ideal body shape for a chosen sport or someone who wants to monitor progress of your training and health status. UQ Sport offers clients a restricted or full anthropometric profile, depending on how much detail is needed. Such as individuals body fat composition by measuring, recording, and analysing specific dimensions of the body, such as height and weight; skin-fold thickness; and body circumference at the waist, hip, and chest.
Field testing
Video analysis using dartfish
Dartfish provides ultimate video software solutions to make you benefit from all the advantages of video in learning processes. Dartfish Connect is a video analysis software designed to provide the essential analysis tools to anyone. Dartfish is easy to use using a digital video camera.
Speed and agility field testing
It is the ability to reach a high velocity of movement in whatever mode of locomotion running, cycling, skating swimming Agility and quickness training improves an athletes ability to change direction, brake suddenly and perform sport-specific skills with speed and agility. Example, beep test or 40m sprint.
Strength and power testing
Muscular strength tests
Muscular strength tests measure the ability of an individual’s muscles to generate the maximum amount of force. This test can be conducted at all repetition ranges. Strength testing is no different to performing strength training; however movement technique is strictly monitored. Standard strength tests include; bench press, bench pull, chin up and squats. If you have a particular exercise you need strength tested, contact us as we are more than happy to accommodate your needs.
Power testing
Power is defined as the ability to produce and exert strength at speed. Therefore, Power Testing is measuring an athlete’s ability to exert muscular strength with explosiveness.
There are many strength training exercises that have been developed to be produced maximal speed/explosiveness. We use state of the art testing equipment including Gymaware. Gymaware analyses the speed of a athletes movement and the weight that is moved, in comparison with the athletes body weight to give a power output in watts.
Standard power tests include; jump squat, power clean, power snatch, bench throw and bench press. However if there is a particular exercise you need power tested, then we are more than willing to accommodate your needs.
Isokinetic strength testing using cybex
Isokinetic exercise is performed with a specialized apparatus which provides variable resistance so that no matter how much effort is exerted the movement is conducted at a constant speed. The subject is positioned so that the body movement can be isolated. The equipment is then set at different speeds and the force applied can be measured throughout the range of movement. The results are reported at different speeds so that a speed/strength/power relationship can be seen. Comparison of the relative strengths of the different sides of the body can show specific muscular limitations.
Flexibility and range of motion testing
Flexibility
Flexibility relates to the body's ability to move joints and muscles through their full range of motion. A high level of flexibility not only enhances muscular performance but also increases the flow of blood to the muscles. Flexibility is a major component of all-round athletic performance. All exercises require the muscles to move through their range of motion and either stretch or shorten for the movement to occur. Flexibility dictates how well the muscles can perform an exercise.
Testing
UQ Sport provides the standard sit and reach test for lower back and hamstring flexibility, as well as shoulder flexibility testing for the upper body. In addition, we use goniometry to measure angles between body segments in order to test the flexibility of a specific joint. To increase flexibility, athletes must stretch regularly. All stretches should be smooth and completed without pain. Improving flexibility is a gradual process, however once stretching is mastered, it will greatly benefit the individual’s athletic performance.
More information
To enquire further please phone contact the Athletic Performance Coordinator on (07) 3346 6242 or email highperformance@uqsport.com.au.