400 Meter Control Tests. This article explain about procedure to conduct the 400 meter control tests. The purpose of this test is to measure the speed, speed endurance, strength/general endurance of a 400 meter sprinter athlete. In this test we can calculate the index of each component of physical fitness such as speed, speed endurance and general endurance that become primary physical fitness factors for a 400 meter sprinter athlete.
Required tools
To conduct this test you will require some of tools:
• 400m track
• Cones to mark 150 meter, 300 meter and 600 meter points
• Stopwatch
• Assistant.
Procedure to conduct the test
• The athlete conduct three separate runs over 150 meter, 300 meter and 600 meter from a standing start and with a full recovery between each run.
• The assistant records the time result for the athlete to complete each distance.
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.
400 meter control test calculations
• Speed endurance index = 300m time – (2 x 150m time)
• Target index value = –11.54156 + (1.1226216 x “150m time”) + (“150m time” x “150m time” x –0.015101)
• Strength & general endurance index = 600m time – (2 x 300m time)
• Target index value = –0.733763 + (0.2408302 x ”300m Time”) + (”300m Time” x ”300m Time” x 0.0008366).
Example:
• 150m = 15 seconds
• 300m = 32 seconds
• 600m = 71 seconds
• Speed endurance index = 2.0
• Target index value = 1.9
• Strength & general endurance index = 7.0
• Target index value = 7.83
Speed endurance index
If the athlete's speed endurance index is greater than the target index value, and provided the 150m time is in line with training targets, then more speed endurance work (lactic anaerobic) is indicated.
Strength & general endurance index
If the athlete's strength & general endurance index is greater than the target index value, and provided the 300m time is in line with training targets, then more strength and general endurance work (aerobic) is indicated.
Target group
This test is suitable for sprinters but not for individuals where the test would be contraindicated.
Reliability
Reliability would depend upon how strict the test is conducted and the individual's level of motivation to perform the test.
Validity
There are no published tables to relate results to potential performance in competition.
Reference: Brian Mackenzie, 2005. 101 Performance Evaluation Test