All of the screening tests that are used to evaluate the athlete’s fitness are described below. The dates on which the screening process takes place can be seen on the Annual Periodisation Table.
Incremental squash-specific test – Girard, Sciberras, Habrard, Hot, Chevalier & Millet (2005) and Wilkinson, Leedale-Brown & Winter (2009)
Upon hearing a signal, the athlete is required to move to
that court position from the central T position. When landing at that point,
the athlete must place one foot on the marked target, mimic a forceful shot
down the nearest side wall of the court and then return to the central T
position ready for the next audio signal. The athlete is required to keep
in pace with the audio signals. No specific or
technical instructions are given about stroke technique or movement, however, care should be taken to make sure one foot is placed on the target and forceful shot is mimicked. Stage 1 comprises of 14 movements in a 1 minute time frame. Subsequent
movements per stage increase continuously thereafter.
This test was found to be more specific to the sport when compared to a treadmill incremental test as high Vo2max values were found in both studies.
Figure 1. Diagram of the incremental squash-specific test setup (Wilkinson et al., 2009).
Fatigue Index test – Boddington, Lambert, Gibson & Noakes (2001) and Eston & Reilly (2008)
Six cones are placed 5m apart in a straight line, totalling a distance of 25m. Starting at cone A, upon hearing an audio signal, the athlete must sprint 5m to cone B, touch the ground with their hand and then return to cone A. They then sprint 10m to cone C, touch the ground and then return to cone A. This continues for cones D to F. Once the course is completed the time is logged. The athlete is then given a 35s active recovery. This is repeated a further 5 times.
Figure 2. Diagram of the fatigue index test setup.
Fatigue index is then calculated using the following calculation:
Fatigue index is then calculated using the following calculation:
Figure 3. Equation for the fatigue index test score (Boddington et al., 2001).
This test enables a rapid evaluation of an athlete's anaerobic recovery during a training session. Once a baseline has been established, the test can be repeated throughout the season to monitor improvements.
Reactive Speed Test - Sheppard, Young, Doyle, Sheppard & Newton, (2006)
The athlete begins on a marked line as illustrated below. Timing gates are positioned 5m to the left and right, 2m forward from the start line. The tester is positioned opposite to the starting line on a timing mat, integrated with time gates. The system is set up so that when the tester steps off the mat, an audible beep is emitted, activating the time gates. To begin the test, the examiner initiates a movement that the athlete must react to, by running through one of the designated gates.
Figure 6. The 7 functional movement screen exercises (Butler et al., 2010).
This test enables a rapid evaluation of an athlete's anaerobic recovery during a training session. Once a baseline has been established, the test can be repeated throughout the season to monitor improvements.
Reactive Speed Test - Sheppard, Young, Doyle, Sheppard & Newton, (2006)
The athlete begins on a marked line as illustrated below. Timing gates are positioned 5m to the left and right, 2m forward from the start line. The tester is positioned opposite to the starting line on a timing mat, integrated with time gates. The system is set up so that when the tester steps off the mat, an audible beep is emitted, activating the time gates. To begin the test, the examiner initiates a movement that the athlete must react to, by running through one of the designated gates.
This test has been suggested to be more appropriate for
athletes than a standard zig-zag test due to the addition of a stimulus;
providing a more sports specific scenario.
Figure 4. Diagram of the reactive speed test setup (Sheppard et al., 2006).
McGill’s trunk muscular endurance tests – Okada, Huxel & Nesser, (2011)
Figure 5. McGill's trunk muscular endurance test (Okada et al., 2011). A: Flexor endurance test. B: Extensor endurance test. C: Lateral musculature test.
Evaluating
Choice of RM testing
Five 10RM testing exercises
Other Relevant Tests
Functional
Movement Screen - Butler, Plisky, Southers, Scoma &
Kiesel, (2010)McGill’s trunk muscular endurance tests – Okada, Huxel & Nesser, (2011)
The flexor endurance test involves positioning the athlete
on a bed with the back rest raised to 60 degrees. The support is then removed
and the athlete is required to maintain a fixed position.
During the extensor endurance test, the athlete is
positioned on a bed with the torso unsupported. The tester must apply weight to
the lower extremities to ensure the core is being stressed throughout.
The lateral musculature test involves entering a side plank
position and maintaining this posture for as long as possible. The athlete must
ensure their hips do not drop towards the floor and their arm is kept in a
rigid position.
For all three tests, the time taken to fatigue is recorded
as the score value and a combined time is recorded.
The combination of these tests stresses the different aspects
of the core. This will show any weaknesses or imbalances the athlete possesses.
Evaluating
Choice of RM testing
A 10RM test setup was used to gain a baseline strength value
for each exercise. These were then repeated at various points throughout the
season to evaluate the athlete’s progression. This choice of test was considered to be
optimal due to the repetitive power production (Meyer et al., 2007) necessary
to perform successfully in squash.
Five 10RM testing exercises
- · Bulgarian split squat
- · Deadlift
- · Front squat
- · Shoulder press
- · Standing cable wood chop
Other Relevant Tests
The functional movement screen (FMS) is a tool used to
assess global patterns of movement. The assessment incorporates 7 functional movements;
these include the deep squat, hurdle step, active leg raise, in-line lunge,
shoulder mobility, stability push-up and rotatory ability. Each movement is
scored between 0-3, based on clinical scoring criteria. Low scores on FMS have shown
to correlate with injury (Kiesel, Plisky & Voight, 2007). This demonstrates
the importance of screening and the need to implement specific intervention
programs that target the athlete’s weaknesses.
Figure 6. The 7 functional movement screen exercises (Butler et al., 2010).
Hand Grip Strength –
Chang, Chou, Lin, Lin & Wang (2010)
The athlete is required to maximally grip a hand-held
dynamometer for 5 seconds, reproducing the racquet grip position. A value in kilograms is then given for this performance and logged.
Squash requires the use of flexor musculature of the forearm
and hands at a high level of activation. A deficiency in grip strength can lead
to injury, such as lateral or medial epicondylosis. Therefore, monitoring is
essential throughout the season to ensure no problems are encountered.
Monitoring
It is crucial to monitor the athlete throughout their
season to ensure that progress is being achieved and there is no increased risk
of injury. This will allow the athlete to see their progression during the
course of the season and identify any areas or weaknesses that need to be focused on.
Reporting
With
regards to the goals set at the beginning of the training programme, we feel
you have made outstanding improvements, both physically and psychologically.
Through the use of testing, it is apparent that steady progress is being made
(Tables 1 and 2).
The incremental test improvements indicate
that your VO2Max has increased, allowing a greater aerobic endurance during
matches. The
fatigue index scores have also shown progress, meaning your ability to recover
from lactic acid build up is more efficient. The
reactive speed test scores suggest that you have yet to make an adequate
improvement regarding your straight line speed. This may be due to the lack of
development in fast-twitch muscle fibres. The
hand grip strength test has also shown similar results between testing
sessions, suggesting this should be addressed. There
has been a positive improvement with the McGill’s trunk muscular endurance
tests, indicating the progressive core stability exercises have increased the
core musculature, enabling successful stabilisation of the spine during
functional movements. The
10RM tests have shown a substantial increase in overall upper and lower limb
strength. We are satisfied that the prescribed exercises can now be progressed
in terms of load and repetitions as a means of continuing physiological
development.
Table 1. The athlete's scores for the screening and functional movement tests at the beginning of the season and after the first follow-up screening and evaluation date.
Table 2. The athlete's scores for the 5 10RM strength tests at the beginning of the season and after the first follow-up screening and evaluation date.
Test
|
Beginning
of Off-season
|
3
Months later
|
Incremental
squash-specific test
|
34
secs
|
32
secs
|
Fatigue
index test
|
82%
|
86%
|
Reactive
speed test
|
1.9
secs
|
1.86
secs
|
Trunk
muscular endurance test
|
160
secs
|
300
secs
|
Functional
Movement Screen
|
16
points
|
18
points
|
Hand
grip strength
|
34kg
|
35kg
|
Table 1. The athlete's scores for the screening and functional movement tests at the beginning of the season and after the first follow-up screening and evaluation date.
Test
|
Beginning of Off-season
|
3 Months later
|
Bulgarian split squat
|
30kg
|
45kg
|
Deadlift
|
40kg
|
55kg
|
Front squat
|
40kg
|
50kg
|
Shoulder press
|
30kg
|
40kg
|
Standing cable wood chop
|
20kg
|
30kg
|
Table 2. The athlete's scores for the 5 10RM strength tests at the beginning of the season and after the first follow-up screening and evaluation date.
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