When you are testing it is important to consider all of the
following:
Know what you are looking for, there are periods of training
where you should see marked improvement and other times when you should see
stabilization or even slight regression on certain tests. Remember the tests
should reflect the training.
Know what you are going to do when you find it. If you see
regression then what adjustments will you make, conversely if you see
unexpected improvement what will you do?
Regular monitoring is necessary to determine strength and
weaknesses and progress of training. The goal in training is minimize
weaknesses and to maximize training, testing can be a valuable guide to this
process.
Testing helps to individualize training. There is much
individual variability in adaptive responses to various training stimuli. Two
individuals could have the opposite response to the same training session or training
cycle. Testing can identify how each individual will respond and allow training
adjustments to be made accordingly.
Testing will give constant feedback to the athletes and
coaches as to the effects of training. Do not wait until competition to ascertain
training response, use testing to be proactive. Testing must dovetail into
training. It is an integral part of the whole training spectrum.
Do not use testing to:
Select a team; team selection should be based on results in
the competitive arena of the actual sport. Tests can verify what you see or do
not see in the competitive arena, but they should not be the sole criteria for
team selection.
Predict performance. However it can give a statutes report
as to progress toward a goal. Actual competition in the game, match or meet
performance is dependent on so much more than the physical capacities
identified through testing.