Sports Science Alert (SSA) #019

Bringing you the latest news in sport, science, fitness and nutrition

The Sport Science Alert newsletter is brought to you by Topend Sports, the ultimate online sport and science resource.

Fitness Testing for the Deaf

There are many deaf athletes who compete at the elite level. Several deaf athletes have won medals at the Olympic Games, and deaf athletes have their own major sports event the deaflympics. However when you look at fitness testing for deaf athletes, I am unaware of any tests designed specifically for that population. Although deaf people can perform many fitness tests without modification, a very common test of aerobic fitness, the beep test, relies on audio signals so is not easy for deaf people to take part. I have been contacted by Susanne Wiedemann, coordinator of competitive sports at the German Deaf Sports Organization, who wants to help create such a test. If you are interested in collaborating you can contact her through their website. 

Examples of modified beep tests for people with disabilities

• 10m multi-stage fitness test is an aerobic fitness test designed for children with cerebral palsy.
• Multistage Field Test (MFT) for wheelchair users.

Related Content on Topend Sports

• Brockport Physical Fitness Test — health-related tests of physical fitness, appropriate for use with youngsters with disabilities.
• Fitness Tests for Specific Populations — tests for specific groups; the young, elderly, and those with disabilities.

Poll: Able-bodied versus Disabled Athletes

There was controversy at the last Olympics when double amputee Oscar Pistorius competed using the latest technology blade prosthetics, which some suggested gave him an unfair advantage. Do you think such a thing should be allowed in the future? Cast your vote on our POLL HERE.

That's all for this week, thanks for your continued support of this newsletter and the topend sports website. If you have any feedback or suggestions for the content of future newsletters, please let me know.

If you are new to this newsletter, you might want to browse the archive of past newsletters. Use the links below to contact me on my website, via email or on social media. See you next time. Rob