Within these two hours, I planned and conducted testing with the women’s hockey team, alongside the other placement students.

Reflective Summary

Testing within sport is essential, in order to obtain an accurate baseline of existing performance levels to both develop and assess an effective physical training programme (Crawley, Sherman, Crawley & Cosio-Lima, 2016). This corresponds with why we are conducting testing both before an after a four week programme, to see if improvements have been made in the specific components of fitness required in hockey. If not the exercise prescription can be adjusted to not only allow for improvements in performance but to reduce injury risk as well.

Tests were selected in corresspondence with the needs analysis. It revealed that the main components of fitness vital to hockey are aerobic capacity, repeated sprint ability and strength (lower body and core stability). Hockey players must be able to repeat high intensity movements throughout match play (Bishop, Bazier, Cree & Turner, 2015). A study by Vescovi (2016) found that 10-15% of total distance covered in a hockey match was characterised by high-intensity running and sprinting, yet the majority of time was spent above 90% maximum heart rate. Moreover, Lythe & Kilding (2011) found that on average players reach 84.9% of their maximum speed during matches, with strikers recording the fastest speeds and reaching the highest percentage of their maximum speed. Increased body strength is specifically important as it can assist in reducing potential injuries due to a higher capacity to withstand repetitive loading (Bishop et al., 2015).

This information prompted us to select four different tests to assess the components mentioned above which were the 12 minute Cooper run, 6x30m sprints, plank and single leg hamstring hold.

What Went Well

I was able to remain professional during the testing session, even though I am friends with a lot of the women’s hockey players. Furthermore, I continue to work well with the other placement students, ensuring we have regular catch up meetings, so that everyone is aware of what needs to be completed etc.

Areas for Improvement	Action Plan
Could have sent the players a video of the individual tests (rather than a picture) before the session.	Next time I conduct any testing, I will ensure that I record videos of the tests and imbed the appropriate coaching points within the video.
Before any testing is completed, ensure the participants fill out PAR-Q forms.	Could create a google form for the participant to complete, as this will make it easier for us to collect the data.

Closing the Loop

Since writing this reflection, I have completed testing with the mens hockey team where we filmed the specific tests before the session, rather than showing them a picture.

References

Bishop, C., Brazier, J., Cree, J., & Turner, A. (2015). A needs analysis and testing battery for field hockey. Professional Strength & Conditioning, 36, 15-26.

Crawley, A. A., Sherman, R. A., Crawley, W. R., & Cosio-Lima, L. M. (2016). Physical fitness of police academy cadets: Baseline characteristics and changes during a 16-week academy. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 30(5), 1416.

Lythe, J., & Kilding, A. E. (2011). Physical demands and physiological responses during elite field hockey. International journal of sports medicine, 32(07), 523-528.

Vescovi, J. D. (2016). Locomotor, heart-rate, and metabolic power characteristics of youth women’s field hockey: female athletes in motion (FAiM) study.Research quarterly for exercise and sport, 87(1), 68-77.