Fitness Testing

[Dreama]

I'm doing an assignment at Uni where I have to select 5 different fitness tests and test an athlete who is doing structured training programme. Then retest after 6 weeks and analyse the data.

Being into swimming I want to test a swimmer, and to be specific I'd rather do specific swimming fitness tests rather than the bleep test or cooper 12 minute run etc.

Can anyone suggest any appropriate tests for me to use that will produce decent useful data, and tests that do not use complex equipment/techniques such as blood testing?

Can you provide links to any websites/data publications that might help me?

So far I've got a test on 10x100m swims that seems quite useful.

Help people!
Thanx

[Gareth Eckley]

Why not do Bill Sweetenhams favourite; the 7 by 200m step test.

All swims at even pace (even 50m splits). Swim for young age groupers on pace, for older swimmers on heartrate.

Age group male swimmers.

1st 200m - PB +24 secs
2nd 200m - PB +20 secs
3rd 200m - PB +16 secs
4th 200m - PB +12 secs
5th 200m - PB + 8 secs
6th 200m - PB pace
7th 200m - Goal PB pace

Female swimmers targets are 4 seconds less on 1 to 5.

Seniors
Last 200m at maximum heart rate, each 200m preceding this is at 10 bpm below the one before.

Record Time, 100m split, average pace, heart rate, stroke rate, strokes per length, and rpe (rate of percieved exertion on a scale of 1 to 20).

Thats a pretty comprehensive test.

[Bogbloke]

Dreama i have done bills 7 x200m test set. It is very hard if you do it correct. Good indicator of fitness.

[Graham Williams]

This is a test I have developed based on the bleep test but done in the water, you need a 12.5m width pool,you have to make your own tape recording of the bleeps to match and use in each test. The one I have "invented" is based on a 1500m swim, The 1500 is broken down into 15x100, each 100 is then broken down into 8x12.5m swims, the level changes each 100m, I have set a very easy first 3 x100m as a warm up and getting used to the bleep(in my case its a car horn) and time reduces as you go up the set, number 15 is at close to world record whilst a secret16 level is included to make sure in case any body gets to it. Because of its length it tests speed and endurance. A copy right of course is on this to myself, but I am quite happy if others want to try it, its also good fun.

[Katie]

I do the 7 x 200 step test a bit different from that Gareth:
1st 200m - PB +28 secs
2nd 200m - PB +24 secs
3rd 200m - PB +20 secs
4th 200m - PB +16 secs
5th 200m - PB + 12 secs
6th 200m - PB + 8 secs
7th 200m - PB + 4 secs

But record all the same stuff on each one.