A Randomised Control Trial of the Impact of a Computer-Based Activity Programme upon the Fitness of Children with Autism
Table 1
Fitness tests used in the study.
Test
Area of measurement/explanation
Equipment required
Body mass index
Body fat measurement
Height scale and weighing scales
National Coaching Foundation (NCF), multistage fitness test-progressive shuttle run test known as the bleep or beep test.
Cardiorespiratory fitness (aerobic) . This is a maximal test. The bleep test is a maximal exercise test to measure aerobic fitness. It involves running up and down a 20 m track in time to increasingly faster beep signals.
Test CD and CD player or MP3 download, 20 m running space, marker cones.
Standing long jump test (broad jump)
Measurement of explosive leg strength. A starting line is marked on the floor and the participants have to take a standing two-footed jump from this line with the aim to jump as far as they can. The arms may be used to aid the jump.
2 m of space. Marker for starting line. Tape measure. Or Standing broad jump kit.
m shuttle test
Measurement of speed and agility and aerobic capacity. Subjects run between two markers of 5 m; there and back counts as 1 repeat and this is continued until 10 repeats have been carried out.
Cones, tape measure to mark out 5 m, stop watch.
Partial curl up test known as sit-ups
Measurement of abdominal strength and endurance. The child lies on the floor with knees flexed. The subject curls up his/her trunk then lowers back to the floor, repeating this as many times as they can. The test lasts for duration of 30 seconds.
Mat for the child to lie on. Stop watch. Additional person to hold legs or time test.
Sit and reach test
Test measures the flexibility of the lower back and hamstring muscles, that is, hip flexibility. The test involves sitting on the floor with legs out straight ahead and then reaching as far forward as possible.
