Quick Feet Test

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

Objective

The quick feet test provides information on the presence of fast-twitch muscle fibre in the muscles involved in sprinting and indicates your potential to execute quick movements. Hereditary factors such as limb length, muscle attachments, and proportion of fast-twitch fibres do place a limit on one's maximum potential, but we can improve our speed and quickness with proper training.

Required Resources

To undertake this test you will require

• Flat surface
• 20 two-foot long sticks or a 20-rung rope ladder
• Stop watch
• Assistant

How to conduct the test

Place 20 two-foot long sticks 18 inches apart or a 20-rung stride rope ladder on grass or athletics track.

Athletes should pump their arms vigorously in a sprint-arm motion and use very little knee lift while running down the ladder without touching the sticks/rungs.

The coach starts the stopwatch when the athlete's foot first touches the ground between the first and second stick/rung and stops the watch when contact is first made with the ground beyond the last stick/rung. Record the better of two trials.

Analysis

Analysis of the result is by comparing it with the results of previous tests. It is expected that, with appropriate training between each test, the analysis would indicate an improvement in the athlete's foot speed.

Normative Data

Speed through a ladder can indicate much about an athlete's quickness. A time of less than 2.8 seconds for males and 3.4 seconds for females for running the length of a 20 rung ladder, one foot in each rung at a time, is considered as excellent for college athletes.

Target Group

This test is suitable for active athletes but not for individuals 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. Reliability will depend upon how strict the test is conducted and the individual's level of motivation to perform the test.

Validity

Test validity refers to the degree to which the test actually measures what it claims to measure and the extent 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.

Associated Pages

The following Sports Coach pages should be read in conjunction with this page:

• Articles on Speed training
• Fartlek Training
• Hill Training
• Reaction Speed
• Speed Training
• 40 yard dash training program

Associated Books

The following books provide more information related to this topic:

• Sports Speed, G. Dintiman et al., ISBN 0 88011 607 2
• Speed, T. McNab, ISBN 0 948615 23 0
• Advanced Studies in Physical Education and Sport, P Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 4482345
• Physical Education and the Study of Sport, B. Davis et al., ISBN 0 7234 31752
• Essentials of Exercise Physiology, W.D. McArdle et al., ISBN 0 683 30507 7
• Physical Education and Sport Studies, D. Roscoe et al., ISBN 1 901424 20 0
• The World of Sport Examined, P. Beashel et al., ISBN 0 17 438719 9
• Advanced PE for Edexcel, F. Galligan et al., ISBN 0 435 50643 9
• Examining Physical Education, K. Bizley, ISBN 0 435 50660 9
• Sport and PE, K Wesson et al., ISBN 0 340 683821
• PE for you, J. Honeybourne, ISBN 0 7487 3277 2