Core Muscle Strength & Stability Test

Testing and measurement are the means of collecting information upon which subsequentperformance evaluations and decisions are made but in the analysis we need to bear in mind thefactors that may influence the results.

Objective
The objective of the Core Muscle Strength & Stability Test is to monitor the development of the athlete's abdominal and lower bac muscles.

Required Resources
To underta e this test you will require !
"lat non#slip surface Mat Stopwatch $ssistant

How to conduct the test

The assistant is responsible for instructing the athlete as to the position to assume at the appropriate stage. Throughout the test the bac % nec and head should be maintained in the posture as per figure below. &f the athlete is unable to hold this position then the test is to be stopped.
Stage ' The athlete warms up for '( minutes The athlete% using the mat to support their elbows and arms% assumes the Start Position )nce the athlete is in the correct position the assistant starts the stopwatch

The athlete is to hold this position for *( seconds Stage + The athlete lifts their right arm off the ground and e,tends it out in front of them parallel with the ground

The athlete is to hold this position for '- seconds Stage . The athlete returns to the Start Position% lifts the left arm off the ground and e,tends it out in front of them parallel with the ground

 The athlete is to hold this position for '- seconds Stage / The athlete returns to the Start Position% lifts the right leg off the ground and e,tends it out behind them parallel with the ground

The athlete is to hold this position for '- seconds Stage The athlete returns to the Start Position% lifts the left leg off the ground and e,tends it out behind them parallel with the ground

The athlete is to hold this position for '- seconds Stage * The athlete returns to the Start Position% lifts the left leg and right arm off the ground and e,tends them out parallel with the ground

The athlete is to hold this position for '- seconds Stage 0 The athlete returns to the Start Position% lifts the right leg and left arm off the ground and e,tends them out parallel with the ground The athlete is to hold this position for '- seconds

Stage 1 The athlete returns to the Start Position The athlete is to hold this position for .( seconds

Stage 2 3nd of test

The assistant records the stage at which the athlete is unable to maintain the correct body position or is unable to continue with the test.

Analysis
$nalysis of the result is by comparing it with the results of previous tests. &t is e,pected that% with appropriate training between each test% the analysis would indicate an improvement. &f the athlete is able to complete this test then it indicates they have good core strength. &f they are unable to complete the test then repeat the routine . or / times a wee until they can.

&f core strength is poor then the torso will move unnecessarily during motion and waste energy. 4ood core strength indicates that the athlete can move with high efficiency.

Target Group
This test is suitable for active individuals but not for those where the test would be contraindicated.

Reliability
Test reliability refers to the degree to which a test is consistent and stable in measuring what it is intended to measure. 5eliability will depend upon how strict the test is conducted and the individual's level of motivation to perform the test. The following lin provides a variety offactors that may influence the results and therefore the test reliability.

Validity
Test validity refers to the degree to which the test actually measures what it claims to measure and the e,tent to which inferences% conclusions% and decisions made on the basis of test scores are appropriate and meaningful. This test provides a means to monitor the effect of training on the athlete's physical development.

Advantages
6o equipment required Simple to set up and conduct Can be conducted ialmost anywhere

isadvantages
$ssistant required to administer the test

Page Re!erence
The reference for this page is!
M$C7368&3% 9. :+((+; Core Muscle Strength and Stability Test <===> $vailable from! http!??www.brianmac.co.u ?coretest.htm <$ccessed '/?+?+('/>

Associated Pages
The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page!
$rticles on @erformance 3valuation 3valuation and @erformance Tests

Additional Sources o! "n!or#ation

"or further information on this topic see the following!
93$SA3B% @. & T$CB)5% D. :'22*; Advanced Studies in Physical Education and Sport. E7! Thomas 6elson & Sons Btd. F$G&S% 9. et al. :+(((; Physical Education and the Study of Sport. E7! Aarcourt @ublishers Btd. Mc$5FB3% =. et al. :+(((; Essentials of Exercise Physiology. +nd ed. @hiladelphia! Bippincott =illiams & =il ins 93$SA3B% @. & T$CB)5% D. :'220; The World of Sport Examined. E7! Thomas 6elson & Sons Btd. 4$BB&4$6% ". et al. :+(((; Advanced PE for Edexcel. ),fordH Aeinemann 3ducational @ublishers 9&8B3C% 7. :'22/; Examining Physical Education. ),fordH Aeinemann 3ducational @ublishers CAE% F. :'22*; Explosive Po er and Strength. ES$H Auman 7inetics @ublishers% &nc.