The purposes of assessment are to gather baseline data and to provide a basis for developing goals and effective exercise programs. Gathering and evaluating the various pieces of information give the personal trainer a broader perspective of the client. The process and the data collected assist the trainer in identifying potential areas of injury and reasonable starting points for recommended intensities and volumes of exercise based on the goals and fitness outcomes.
Personal trainersTesting and EvaluationClient Consultation|Assessmenttests and assessmentexercise prescriptionstrength trainingtactical athlete
This column from the TSAC Report explores the impact of physical fitness and cardiovascular disease risk factors among firefighters and law enforcement officers. Visit NSCA online to learn more about tactical fitness.
TSAC FacilitatorsExercise TechniqueTesting and EvaluationClient Consultation|AssessmentSafetyBasic Pathophysiology and Science of Health Status or Condition and Disorder or DiseaseProfessional DevelopmentMetabolic SyndromeSimulated Fireground TestOccupational TrainingAerobic FitnessLaw Enforcement OfficersFire FightersAtherosclerotic Cardiovascular DiseaseArterial Stiffness
Two factors that determine running speed are stride cadence and stride length. Because athletes propel themselves forward only when their foot is in contact with the ground, the stance phase of the running stride should be the focus of speed enhancement programs.
CoachesExercise ScienceMechanics of runninghow to run fasterspeed trainingrunning mechanics
This book excerpt is from Developing Agility and Quickness, Second Edition and goes over change of direction drills to help with speed and power development as well as an athletes cognitive and decision making skills.
CoachesProgram designChange of DirectionSpeedAgility
All fitness components depend on body composition to some extent, and the demands of many sports require that athletes maintain standard levels of body composition.
CoachesExercise ScienceTesting and Evaluationbody compositionweight classesbody fatlean body mass
Acceleration is the rate of change in velocity, so this phase of sprinting is critical for changing directions as rapidly and efficiently as possible. Optimal technique for linear sprinting in the acceleration phase involves four factors that maximize stride length and frequency.
CoachesExercise ScienceExercise Techniquespeedagilitystrength and conditioning