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6. TEST , MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION (XI)

Test
Test is a tool, a question, a set of questions or an examination which is used to measure a particular
characteristic of an individual or a group of individuals. It is something which provides information
regarding individual's ability, knowledge, performance and achievement.
According to Barrow and Mc. Gee, "A test is a specific tool or procedure or a technique
used to obtain response from the students in order to gain information which provides the basis to
make judgement or evaluation regarding some characteristics such as fitness, skill, knowledge and
values."

Measurement
1. It is the collection of information in numeric form.
2. It is the record of performance or the information which is required to make judgment.
According to R.N. Patel, 'Measurement is an act or process that involves the assignment of
numerical values to whatever is being tested. So, it involves the quantity of something.'

Scales of Measurement
Measurement numbers are composed of scales. There are four scales of measurement:
• Nominal measurement scales - Nominal measurement scales are used to name or label things or to
depict categories. Nominal scales put things or people into categories. e.g., Gender is categorised in
Male and Female.
• Ordinal scales - Ordinal scales order or rank things. In measurement, an assigned rank given to a
person or thing is an ordinal number. e.g., First, Second and Third rank in sports.
• Interval scale - The most commonly used scale in measurement in physical education is the interval
scale. Interval measurement scales are based on a continuum where the interval (or distance)
between any two numbers is always the same. The intervals are equal to each other. e.g., 2, 4, 6, 8 are
at equal interval of 2. This scale does not have an absolute meaning of zero.
• Ratio scale - The most advanced, the most sophisticated, and the most precise measurement scale is
the ratio scale. The ratio measurement scale is distinguished from the interval measurement scale by
the fact that it has an absolute, true zero that has meaning. e.g., if somebody's pulse is zero mean there
is no life in the individual. If something weighs zero, it means it is weightless.

Evaluation
1. It is a technique used to know the extent to which objectives are being achieved.
2. It is a decision making process which assists to make grade and ranking.
According to Barrow and Mc. Gee, 'It is the process of education that involves collection of
data from the products which can be used for comparison with preconceived criteria to make
judgment.' Importance of Test Measurement and Evaluation in Sports:
1. For the selection of athlete.
2. For getting knowledge about the progress.
3. For preparation and effective planning.
4. For classification of sportsperson.
5. For knowing the abilities and capacities.
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Test, Measurement, and Evaluation:

A test may be called as tool, a question, a set of questions, or an examination which use to measure a
particular characteristic of an individual or a group of individuals. It is something which provides
information regarding individual's ability, knowledge, performance, and achievement.
According to R.N. Patel measurement is an act or process that involves the assignment of
numerical values to whatever is being tested. It involves the quantity of something.
According to Barrow and McGee, it is the process of education that involves collection of
data from the products which can be used for comparison with preconceived criteria to make
judgment.
Importance of test, measurement, and evaluation:
(a) To understand the strength, weaknesses, and various qualities and capacities of a sportsman.
(b) It helps the player to select the most appropriate or suitable game or skill according to their
capability.
(c) To predict potential and future performance.
(d) To conduct research and, prepare new norms and standards.
(e) To evaluate the teacher, coach, and trainer and their teaching program and training method.
(f) To evaluate the learner from time to time and find his or her progress, weakness, and current
fitness status so that a learner can be placed into the appropriate training group.
(g) For the purpose of guidance and counselling of an athlete and motivating him to do better.
(h) It helps in classification or gradation of learners and makes it easy for the teacher/ coach in
selecting and identify talented athletes.
(i) To diagnose the learning problem of an individual and discover their need. (j) To evaluate the
effectiveness of a physical education program.
(k) To analyze the progress of the athlete.

Calculation of BMI
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. It
does not measure body fat directly but appears to be a strong indicator of risk for various diseases. In
general, it's an inexpensive and easy method of screening for weight categories.
A high BMI can be an indicator of high body fatness. BMI can be used as a screening tool, but it is not
diagnostic of the body fatness or health of an individual. To determine if a high BMI is a health risk, a
healthcare provider would need to perform more assessments. These might include skin fold
measurements, diet evaluations, physical activity, family history, and other appropriate health
screenings.
Formula: weight (kg)/[height (m)]2
Example: Weight = 68 kg, Height = 165 cm (1.65 m)
Calculation: 68+ (1.65)² = 24.98
For adults 20 years and older, BMI is interpreted by using standard weight status categories that are
the same for all ages and for both men and women. The standard weight status categories associated
with BMI ranges for adults are:
Below 18.5- Underweight
18.5-24.9-Normal or Healthy Weight
25.0-29.9 Overweight
30.0 and above Obese
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Waist-Hip Ratio
The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is an anthropomet-ric measure of body shape. It is calculated by taking
the distance around the waist at its narrowest point and by dividing the distance around the hips and
buttocks at their widest points.
The WHO states that abdominal obesity is defined as a waist-hip ratio above 0.90 for males and above
0.85 for females, or a body mass index (BMI) above 30.0. Women with waist-hip ratios of more than
0.85, and men with more than 1, are at increased health risk because of their fat distribution.

Skin fold measurement (3-site).

The purpose of this measurement is to estimate body fat % based on measurements of subcutaneous
fat it is helpful for deciding on a diet or a training regime. The Jackson/Pollock method uses skin folds
to measure body fat percentage. This one uses skin folds from 3 different points.
1. Chest
2. Abdomen
3. Thigh
Measurements are taken on the right side of body. Caliber needs to be perpendicular to the site
analyzed. The participant must relax the muscle group that is being assessed. When skin fold is
pinched, the practitioner should be taking reading at the middle of the pinched skin, not apex or base.
Wait 1 to 2 seconds after releasing caliber, record the closest 0.5 mm. Retake each site in order to
obtain accurate readings.

Measurements:
Chest: Diagonal fold
Men: one-half the distance between the anterior axillary line (crease of the underarm) and the nipple.
Women: one-third of the distance between the anterior axillary line and the nipple.
Abdominal: vertical fold 2 cm to the right of the navel.
Thigh: midpoint of the anterior side of the upper leg between the patella and top of thigh.

Somato Type (Endomorphy, Mesomorphy, And Ectomorphy)

William H. Sheldon, Ph.D., MD, introduced the concept of body types, or somatotypes, in the 1940s.
Since then, nutritionists, exercise physiologists, and even doctors have used it to help design effective,
individualized fitness plans. The gist is that everyone falls, though not altogether neatly, into the three
categories below. Keep in mind that these are generalizations and that most of us have characteristics
of two or even all three somatotypes. People are born with an inherited body type based on skeletal
frame and body composition. Most people are unique combinations of the three body types:
ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph.

1) Ectomorphs are long and lean, with little body fat, and little muscle. They have a hard time gaining
weight. Fashion models and basketball players fit this category While most of us love to hate these
genetically-blessed individuals, some male ectomorphs may not be thrilled with their narrow-chested
frames, and some female ectomorphs long for more womanly curves.
General Characteristics:
(a) More narrow shoulders and hips with respect to height.
(b) Relatively smaller muscles with respect to bone length.
(c) Naturally fast metabolism makes it difficult for many to gain mass.
(d) Potentially indicative of disordered eating (e.g., anorexia, bulimia) when BMI is ≤17.
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2) Endomorphs, on the other hand, have lots of body fat, and lots of muscle, and gain weight easily.
They're heavier and rounder individuals.
General characteristics:
(a) Stockier bone structures with larger midsections and hips.
(b) Carries more fat throughout the body.
(c) Gains fat fast and loses it slowly.
(d) Naturally slow metabolism; potentially due to chronic conditions (e.g., thyroid deficiency,
diabetes) but too frequently the result of a sedentary lifestyle and chronically-positive daily energy
balance.

3) Mesomorphs are athletic, solid, and strong. They're not overweight and not under weight and they
can eat what they want without worrying too much about it. They both gain and lose weight without
too much effort.
General characteristics:
(a) Medium bone structure with shoulders wider than the hips.
(b) Developed athletic musculature.
(c) Efficient metabolism; mass gain and loss both happen with relative ease.

Measurements of health related fitness

Health-related fitness refers to the components of physical fitness that have a direct impact on your
overall health and well-being. These components are often used to assess an individual's level of
physical fitness. The key components of health-related fitness include:

1) Cardiorespiratory Endurance: This measures the ability of your heart and lungs to deliver
oxygen to your muscles during sustained physical activity. Common tests include the 1-mile run or the
3-minute step test.
2) Muscular Strength: It assesses the maximum force your muscles can generate in a single effort.
The one-repetition maximum (1RM) test is a common way to measure muscular strength.
3) Muscular Endurance: This evaluates your muscles' ability to perform repetitive contractions over
an extended period. A common test for muscular endurance is the push-up or sit-up test.
4) Flexibility: This is the range of motion around your joints. Tests like the sit-and-reach test are
often used to measure flexibility.
5) Body Composition: This assesses the proportion of body fat in relation to lean body mass.
Common methods include skinfold thickness measurements, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA),
and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans.
To measure these components, various fitness assessments and tests can be
conducted. It's important to note that health-related fitness is not solely about performance but also
about achieving and maintaining good health. Therefore, the results of these tests should be
interpreted in the context of individual health goals and overall well-being.
Consulting with a healthcare professional or a fitness expert is advisable before
starting any fitness program or assessing your health-related fitness to ensure that the tests are
appropriate for your specific circumstances and health goals. They can also provide guidance on
developing a fitness plan tailored to your needs and goals.