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Quadrathlon

Testing and measurement are the means of collecting information upon which subsequent performance evaluations and decisions are made. In the analysis, we need to consider the factors influencing the results.

The Quadrathlon was devised in 1982 to test for explosive power improvement of the Great Britain National Throws Squad (Jones 1992)[2]. The Quadrathlon is easy to carry out and is an excellent way to test an athlete's fitness and progress during winter.

Required Resources

To conduct this test, you will require:

  • Flat non-slip surface
  • Cones
  • Shot (competition weight)
  • Tape Measure
  • Long Jump Pit
  • Stopwatch
  • Assistant

How to conduct the test

This test requires the athlete to undertake four exercises: Standing long jump, Three jumps, 30-metre sprint and Overhead shot throw.

Standing Long Jump

  • The athlete warms up for 10 minutes
  • The athlete stands with their feet over the edge of the sandpit and jumps horizontally as far as possible into the sandpit.
  • The assistant measures and records the distance from the edge of the sandpit to the nearest point of contact in the sand made by the athlete

Three Jumps

  • The athlete stands with the feet comfortably apart with the toes just behind the take-off mark.
  • The athlete, from a static position, takes three continuous two-footed jumps aiming to jump horizontally as far as possible
  • The assistant measures and records the distance covered

30 Metre Sprint

  • The assistant marks with cones a 30m section on the track
  • The athlete sprints from a stationary position as fast as possible to the 30-metre finish line. Spikes allowed.
  • The assistant stands at the finish line and starts the stopwatch from the moment the athlete contacts the ground on the first stride and stops the stopwatch when the athlete's torso crosses the line
  • The assistant records the time

Overhead Shot Throw

  • The athlete holds the shot cupped in both hands
  • The athlete stands on the shot stop-board, facing away from the landing area, with the feet a comfortable distance apart.
  • The athlete crouches, lowering the shot between the legs, then drive upwards to cast the shot back over the head to achieve maximum horizontal distance. There is no penalty for following through, but the athlete must land feet first and remain upright.
  • The assistant marks where the shot landed, measures and records the distance from this point to the inside edge of the stop-board

Assessment

Enter the results and then select the 'Calculate' button.

Standing Long Jump metres points
Three Bunny hops metres points
Overhead shot metres points
30m Sprint seconds points
Total points

Quadrathlon Tables

Points are allocated from the Quadrathlon tables depending on the distance or time achieved for each activity. Scores should be compared with the athlete's previous activity scores to determine the level of improvement. Competition can be based on the improvement from the previous test for each activity. The Quadrathlon tables can be obtained from Jones (1992)[2]. A copy of the Quadrathlon tables, in pdf format, is available via this link.

The number of points for each event can be calculated using the following equations:

Event Points Equation
Standing Long Jump Points=-36.14048 + (D × 37.268536) + (D × D × -0.128057)
Three Jumps Points=-36.36996 + (D × 12.478922) + (D × D × -0.007423)
30 Metre Sprint Points=209.70039 + (T × -36.94427) + (T × T × 0.165766)
Overhead Shot Points=-22.32216 + (D × 5.8318756) + (D × D × -0.000334)

where D is the distance in metres and T is the time in seconds

The following test results (Jones 1993)[1] indicate an athlete may mature into a high-standard club athlete.

Boys

Event/Age 14 15 16 17
30 metres 4.15 4.00 3.90 3.75
S L Jump 2.35 2.60 2.75 2.90
3 Jumps 7.20 7.60 8.25 8.70
OH Shot 15.00
4kg
15.50
5kg
17.20
5kg
18.00
7.26kg

Girls

Event/Age 14 15 16 17
30 metres 4.35 4.20 4.10 4.00
S L Jump 2.15 2.30 2.40 2.60
3 Jumps 6.40 7.05 7.20 7.70
OH Shot 13.20
3.25kg
13.40
4kg
14.10
4kg
15.00
4kg

The following tables, Jones (1992)[2], was the top British results in 1992. There are no details for women's hammer, so I have included the women's top heptathlon result.

Men

Event 3 Jumps SLJ 30m OH Shot
Discus 10.10 3.28 3.51 20.13
Shot 10.31 3.12 3.56 18.57
Javelin 10.19 3.35 3.50 17.25
Hammer 9.85 3.07 3.80 17.80

Women

Event 3 Jumps SLJ 30m OH Shot
Discus 8.34 2.61 3.89 15.36
Shot 8.02 2.77 3.88 14.58
Javelin 7.97 2.66 3.89 15.48
Hept 8.38 2.79 3.68 16.54

Analysis

Analysis of the test result compares it with the athlete's previous results for this test. It is expected that, with appropriate training between each test, the analysis would indicate an improvement in the athlete's fitness level.

Target Group

This test is suitable for all athletes, especially throwers (e.g. javelin, discus, shot, hammer), 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. The following link provides various factors influencing the results and test reliability.

Validity

Test validity refers to how the test measures what it claims to measure and the extent to which inferences, conclusions, and decisions made based on test scores are appropriate and meaningful. This test provides a means to monitor training on the athlete's physical development.

Advantages

  • Minimal equipment required
  • Simple to set up and conduct

Disadvantages

  • Specialist equipment required
  • Specific facilities required
  • Assistant required to administer the test

Free Calculator


References

  1. JONES, M. (1993) Age Laws for beginning specialisation in Athletic events. Athletics Coach, 27 (2), p. 5-13
  2. JONES, M. (1992) Revision of the Test Quadrathlon Tables. Athletics Coach, 26 (1), p. 27-29

Page Reference

If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:

  • MACKENZIE, B. (1997) Quadrathlon [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/quad.htm [Accessed