EXSS 376L: PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS OF HUMAN PERFORMANCELAB 2: ANAEROBIC POWER FIELD ASSESSMENTSMethods Reference Source: Adams, Chapters SP and VPPURPOSE:1. To become familiar with field tests used to assess anaerobic capacity2. To learn about absolute vs. relative power and gender differencesEQUIPMENT NEEDED:- Vertec- 55 yard (minimum) track/flat running surface- Stopwatch- Measuring tape- Medicine BallINTRODUCTIONEnergy for short-term, powerful bursts of exercise comes primarily from twosystems. The ATP– PC system provides ATP very rapidly, but can only sustain activityfor a few seconds. After this point, the body begins to rely on anaerobic glycolysis. Thesetwo energy systems can combine to provide energy for up to 90 seconds of exercise.It is becoming more common for sports performance centers to test an athlete’sability to generate force quickly in order to determine if that athlete is well suited for asport in which requires power. Physiological profiling is, therefore, conducted at high-performance centers for sports such as basketball, football, soccer, track and field, tennis,and other sports. However, there are a variety of field tests that can be utilized, eachdepending upon the sport, and they do not necessarily all measure that “same thing”.Hence, it is critical to appreciate the utility and applicability for various anaerobic tests.The ultimate goal of this lab is to allow you to critically compare three specific anaerobictests: the vertical jump, the 40-yard sprint, and the ballistic medicine ball pass.The results of these various tests can be used to estimate individual’s absolute andrelative peak anaerobic power. Factors associated with higher scores include greaterphosphoric creatine (PC) stores, greater concentration of Type II muscle fibers,motivation, technique, and a greater tolerance for discomfort. In addition, the body’sability to buffer lactate can also contribute to higher scores.121) Maximal Vertical Jump (Vertical Power) Maximal vertical jump ability is a measure of lower-body powerbecause the velocity of movement is very high. Although heightand power in the maximal vertical jump can be performed in severalmanners, such as using a force platform or chalkboard hung high ona wall, use of a Vertec is quite simple and accurate. The Vertec is apiece of equipment with vanes (also called slats or rungs) that canbe raised or lowered depending on the subject’s vertical jumpability. Although several types of vertical jumps can be measuredusing the Vertec, a no-step countermovement jump and a three-stepcountermovement jump are perhaps the most common types ofvertical jumps measured. Following is a brief description of how toperform vertical jump tests using a Vertec.Warm-UpAllow the subject to perform several minutes of warm-up activity, including several vertical jumps. Only ballistic or dynamic stretching should be included before the workout.Standing Reach Height1. Standing reach height refers to the maximal height that can be reached with the dominant hand while standing flat footed with the feet approximately hip-width apart.2. Adjust the height of the Vertec so that the lowest vane is lower than the subject’s standing reach height.3. The subject stands directly below the Vertec’s vanes with the feet approximately hip-width apart. The subject then reaches as high as possible with the dominant hand and pushes aside as many of the Vertec’s vanes as possible.4. Determine the highest height reached.Starting Position and Jump for No-Step Countermovement Jump1. The subject stands directly below the Vertec’s vanes with the feet approximately hip-width apart.2. Subject then performs a maximal vertical jump by bending at the knees and hips and using the arms in a normal jumping motion.3. Subject reaches as high as possible with the dominant hand and pushes aside as manyvanes as possible.Maximal vertical jump height is determined by subtracting the standing reach height from themaximal vertical jump height. Typically measurement of maximal height reach height needs to be performed only once per testing session. Maximal reach height can also be used for successive training sessions if the subject did not grow taller. Normally three vertical jumps are performed with a minimum of 30 seconds rest between each attempt. Because the goal is determining maximal vertical jump height, once the subject has reached a certain height, the vanes up to that height can be left aside. If more vanes are reached on successive jumps, more vanes will be pushed aside. However, if on successive jumps no more vanes are pushedaside, you have determined the subject’s maximal vertical jump height.32. 40 yard dash (Speed)Speed is displacement per unit time and is typically quantified as the time taken to covera fixed distance. Tests of speed are not usually conducted over distances greater than 200m because longer distances reflect anaerobic or aerobic capacity more than absoluteability to propel the body at maximal speed. Class procedure for 40 yard dash1. Practice the test and warm-up by performing two submaximal sprints, one at roughly 50% maximal effort, the other at roughly 75% maximal effort.2. The individual being tested should stand with his/her dominant foot just behind the starting line (toe). The non-dominant foot should be roughly 8-12 inches behind the dominant foot. The knees should be slightly bent with a bit of forward lean at the hip.3. The tester will count down “3, 2, 1, Go!” On the “Go!” command, sprint 40 yards in a straight line at maximal speed. Be sure to run all the way through the timing lights.4. Rest roughly two minutes, and then perform a second test.5. Repeat for a third test.6. Use the best trial as your time.3. Medicine Ball Throw (Upper-body power) Because of the fast velocity at which it is performed and the relatively light resistancesupplied by the ball, the medicine ball throw is considered a measure of power. Manytypes of medicine ball throws are possible. Standing-type throws can be considered total-body throws because of their reliance on both the upper- and lower-body. The seatedmedicine ball throw is used when testing the upper-body because it minimizes the use ofthe lower-body in the throwing motion. Following are general guidelines for all medicineball throw tests and a description of the seated two-hand chest pass medicine ball throw.