Movement Screening and Physical Capacity Assessments

This chapter provides the tools to design an effective testing battery that will generate useful data and form the basis of a successful strength and conditioning (S&C) programme. Movement screening and physical capacity assessments provide coaches with information that supports the decision-making processes when designing training programmes, by identifying an athlete’s strengths and weaknesses. Strength diagnostic testing assesses an athlete’s ability to produce force under varying conditions, while tissue capacity assessments provide data on the ability of the musculotendon unit to tolerate load. A comprehensive assessment of general athletic qualities is a fundamental component in the design of an effective S&C programme. Prior to the design of a testing battery, coaches must consider the validity and reliability of each test to determine the accuracy of the results. Reliability is concerned with a test providing suitable measurement precision and a consistency.