A SIMPLE METHOD OF EVALUATION OF GENERAL ENDURANCE FOR SPORTSMAN

Abstract

To evaluate overall general endurance, endurance of both the upper and lower limbs should be considered. The Step Test was used for the test of endurance of lower extremi ties, while the Arm Test as previously reported was utilized for testing endurance of the upper extremities. Studies on the reliability and practical aspects of this method gave the following results.
1. The frequency of exercise loading appears adequate.
2. In the Arm Test as well as in the Step Test, participation of cardiovascular function was presumed. In these tests, a factor of endurance of muscles in the lower extremity and a similar factor in the upper extremity was found to be present. Con sequently, the Step Test apparently expresses the endurance of muscles in the lower extremity while the Arm Test expresses the endurance of muscles in the upper extremity.
3. Since the stage and time of measurement of the pulse rate appeared adequate as long as the Step Test was used as the standard, the score for the Arm Test was calculated according to the standard of the Step Test, as described subsequently.
4. The combined use of the Step Test and Arm Test was called the Nippon Medical School Test (for sportsman) . For the evaluation of this test, general endurance was expressed as ST value+AT value, while the balance between the endurance of upper and lower extremity was expressed as AT value/ST value, in order to grasp the characteristics of various sporting events. These results were also utilized for the preparation of tailor-made prescriptions for individual training.
5. The Nippon Medical School General Endurance Test (for sportsman) (abbreviated as NTs) consists of the following.
a. Method of measurement
1) Method of measuring the endurance of lower limbs ; Step Test (ST) Method of exercise loading : General method of walking up and down the steps according to the standards of the Education Ministry.
Test subjects were made to walk up and down a step of 40 cm in height for males and 35 cm in height for females, at a rate of once per 2 seconds over a period of 3 minutes. After this, the subjects are made to sit still and the pulse rate was measured 3 times as follows.
P₁: 1-1.5 minutes after the end of exercise loading
P₂ : 2-2.5 minutes after the end of exercise loading
P₃ : 3-3.5 minutes after the end of exercise loading Calculation of index :
ST=180 (number of second for loading) / (P₁+P₂+P₃) ×2×100
2) Method of measuring the endurance of upper limbs ; Arm Test (AT) Method of exercise loading : floor push-ups for males
Flexion and extension of the arms is continued for 30 times in all at a rate of once per 2 seconds over a period of 60 seconds (the command for motion is given every second when the elbow joint changes from the flexed to extended position in order to avoid rebound power.) The subjects are subsequently placed in a sitting position and the pulse rate was measured at 3 intervals as follows :
P₁ : 30-45 seconds after the end of the exercise
P₂: 1-1.25 minutes after the end of exercise
P₃: 1.5-1.75 minutes after the end of exercise Calculation of index
AT=60 (second of loading) ×3/ (P₁+P₂+P₃) ×4×100
b. Method of evaluation
General endurance= ST value+ AT value
Ratio of endurance between upper and lower extremities = AT value/ST value.