An easy-to-apply series of field test for physical education teachers in an educational setting: ALPHA test battery

Abstract

Valid and reliable measurement methods are the basic requirements that enable the measurement and evaluation process to reach education's basic goals. Usually, using laboratory-based tools and methods for measuring the physical fitness of students is not possible within school settings. Therefore, field-based tests provide crucial solutions to physical education teachers to measure both the physical fitness of school-aged students and the athletic competence of a school's athletes. This study aims to identify the differences in physical-fitness levels between student athletes and non-athletes and determine the effectiveness of the Assessing Levels of Physical Activity (ALPHA) test battery in discrimination between these groups. Sixty-eight healthy male students (34 athletes and 34 non-athletes) participated in this study. As a major indicator of physical fitness in student athletes and non-athletes, the body mass index for assigned study groups was controlled. After a familiarization training, participants completed three test sessions in 48-hour intervals. The 20-m progressive shuttle run test for cardiorespiratory fitness, handgrip strength test and standing broad jump test for musculoskeletal fitness, and the 4 × 10-m shuttle run test for motor fitness were used to measure the fitness levels of the groups. A t-test was used to determine the differences between athletes and non-athletes, and effect sizes were calculated to assess practical importance. Additionally, a discriminant function analysis was used to determine whether the ALPHA test battery could differentiate between athletes and non-athletes. The findings indicated that student athletes presented with significantly greater levels of fitness than non-athletes. Additionally, when the effect of body mass index was eliminated, student athletes and non-athletes were classified correctly at a rate of 70.6% using these tests. Therefore, this study shows that physical education teachers can use the ALPHA test battery to monitor athletic performance and identify talented students.

The Impact of Inactivity During the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Physical Performance of High School Athletes

“…Our comparative analysis aimed to reveal the differing impacts of the pandemic on students engaged in school sports versus those with sedentary lifestyles. The study speci cally examined changes in physical tness levels pre-and post-pandemic using the ALPHA test battery to measure health-related physical tness parameters such as cardiorespiratory tness, musculoskeletal strength, and motor skills [11,12]. These parameters are essential for assessing the comprehensive effects of the pandemic on the physical health of students.…”

The impact of inactivity during the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical performance of high school athletes

“…Utilizing a longitudinal framework, we conducted assessments before and after the pandemic’s onset, facilitating a detailed comparison of temporal changes in physical fitness levels. Our primary tool for evaluation was the ALPHA test battery, which allowed us to quantitatively measure vital health-related physical fitness parameters, including cardiorespiratory fitness, musculoskeletal strength, and motor skills [ 13 , 14 ]. This design enabled a nuanced analysis of how the pandemic has affected the physical health of these two distinct student groups.…”