Balsom agility test

This test was developed by Paul Balsom in 1994. It’s goal is to measure the subject’s acceleration, speed, body control and his/her ability to make changes in position and direction.

• Required Material: A flat non-slip surface, 10 cones and marks to delimit the course of the circuit, a tape measure and a stopwatch.

• Procedure: The cones must be placed as shown in the illustrations, marking the start (A), the end (E) and three pivot points (B-C-D). The subject must get ready for the test behind the starting line (A) and at the evaluator’s signal he/she must start running the course (A-B-C-D-E), trying to complete it in the shortest possible time. The test finishes when the subject crosses the finish line (E), with any part of his/her body. There the stopwatch will be stopped and the elapsed time will be registered. Any attempt in which the subject passes over a cone instead of going around it, or does not step on the line when pivoting and turning at the cones will be considered null and void and will not be counted.

• Assessment: It is measured in seconds (sec) and the subject has a maximum of 3 attempts. In Fisicalcoach, the lowest time, as well as the mean and the median can be recorded.

• Remarks: During this test, 90º and 180º direction changes are made. Since in exercises that require changes of direction performance depends on the angle and speed during execution, different tests should be considered and the most specific and appropriate one should be chosen in each case. Fisicalcoach has a large set of tests available to perform.