Muscle Strength Test
What is it testing?
Muscular strength in the desired muscle group.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Muscular strength is one of the hardest fitness components to analyse, as any time more than one repetition is lifted the test shifts from being purely muscular strength orientated to include a degree of muscular endurance. However as lifting more than one repetition is almost unavoidable (warm up and trial lifts) it has become common practice to measure strength using 3, 5 or 10 lifts or 3, 5 or 10 repetition maximums (RM).
Required Facilities / Equipment / Personnel
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The resources required depend upon which body part is being tested but generally this test should be completed in a gym.
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Weights
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A spotter to take the weight once exhausted
Process
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Determine which muscle(s) will be tested and ensure a thorough warm has been completed and that the individual undertaking the test can complete the exercise with the correct technical precision.
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Select a weight that is considered to be close to the individual’s maximum.
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Attempt to perform the desired number of RM’s. The spotter must be alert and ready to assist at any time.
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Record the weight successfully completed.
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If the weight was too high / low, then alter the weight but wait 5 minutes before attempting the test again.
Analysing Results
This test revolves around the individual’s own maximum strength so their results should be compared to previous ones to determine if they are becoming stronger. Therefore all results should be stored away and added to once the test is completed again.