T-test and Sprint Fatigue Test

Sunday I did two more fitness tests.  I performed the T-test and the sprint fatigue test.  The T-test is a fairly common tests that is supposed to measure agility.  It has been run by many athletes so there is a lot of data to which you can compare yourself.  The sprint endurance tests is not as common, but it is probably more applicable.

My score the T-test was 12.1 seconds.  According to this website, that is an average score.  Unfortunately, I set up my course in meters instead of yards!  My comparisons to norms are useless.  Next time I test, I'll have to decide if I want my course in yards so I can compare it to known data or if I want my test in meters so I can compare it to myself.  I will most likely stay with meters because I can measure and use part of the t test course for the sprint endurance tests which IS set up in meters.

This was my first time performing the sprint fatigue tests.  Of all possible tests, this may be one of the most relevant standard tests for ultimate.  It involves repeated sprints and includes a change of direction.

Ten sprints are performed with intervals of jogging.  The differences in speed between your first and your lasts sprints tells you about you ability to produce power and speed under conditions of fatigue.

I set up this course using a tape measure and cones.  The weather was sunny and warn.  The ground was moderately soft and flat.  I wore cleats.  My timer stood at the end of the course.  She started me and recorded times as I passed through the last gates.  She then gave me ten second and five second warnings before the time of the next start.  She gave a five second countdown to indicate the next start.  This worked reasonable well and I attempted to time my jogging so I'd be going through the starting gate at the right time.  In the future I think it would be more reproducible to show up to the starting gate a little early and have a stopped start rather than a moving start.

Here are my times in seconds:

1. 7.06
2. 8.31
3. 7.42
4. 7.43
5. 7.82
6. 8.09
7. 7.75
8. 8.25
9. 7.85
10. 8.15

As you can see, there is a lot of variability.  The difference between the fastest and the slowest is 1.26 seconds.  My times are not linearly getting slower.  I believe doing this test with better methodology will give me more meaningful results.  Calculating the results shows my overall spring fatigue is 1.26 seconds and my power maintenance is 94%.  That is an excellent results, but I'm suspicious of its validity.  Power maintenance is calculated by taking the average of your first three sprints and dividing it my the average of your last three sprints.  My results are helped by having an abnormally slow second sprint. If I use the averages of trial 1, 3, and 4 for the numerator my power maintenance is only 90%.  Still excellent, but barely.

I was a little surprised that the test did not feel more difficult.  It was nowhere near as difficult as doing Tabata sprints.  I felt winded but not exhausted at the end of ten sprints.   I do, however, feel sore today.