AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The educational objective of the course is to deepen the approach to the main methodologies of cardiorespiratory, muscular and sports performance evaluation of the athlete.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide scientific and theoretical skills related to relevance, validity, and application of methods, procedures, and data analysis techniques for monitoring training and assessing the various components of sports performance.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

- To know the principles of functional assessment in low- and high-level athletes.

- To apply the various types of laboratory and field tests. 

- To know how to monitor training and competition conduct in endurance sports.  

- To assess the impact of strength, speed and agility training on sports performance.

- Analysing performance in cyclic and acyclic sports.

- To process data regarding functional assessment in sports performance.

- To know the methods of analysing aerobic and anaerobic performance.  

TEACHING METHODS

The course consists of face-to-face lectures held in the classroom. These lectures are designed to deliver theoretical content and promote critical engagement with the topics covered. Active interaction between the lecturer and students is encouraged through discussions, case study analyses, and, where appropriate, interdisciplinary insights.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Functional Assessment of Aerobic and Anaerobic Performance Laboratory Tests: Fundamental principles for the functional evaluation of aerobic and anaerobic fitness. Comparison of various testing protocols performed on different ergometers. Identification and analysis of cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and performance parameters obtained during testing.

Functional Assessment of Aerobic and Anaerobic Performance Field Tests: Basic principles for conducting functional assessments in the field. Differentiation between continuous incremental tests and intermittent tests. Indirect estimation and calculation of cardiorespiratory parameters such as maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂max) and maximal heart rate (HRmax). Use of Borg scales (6-20 and CR10) to assess perceived exertion as a reference parameter during testing.

Functional Assessment of Speed, Repeated Sprint Ability, and Agility: Fundamental principles for evaluating speed, sprinting, and agility. Practical application of specific performance tests.

Functional Assessment of Muscular Strength and Endurance: Basic principles for the functional evaluation of muscular strength in the context of sports performance. Comparison between laboratory-based strength tests and field tests. Identification of key performance parameters related to muscular strength.

Assessment of Internal and External Load in Team Sports: Core principles of monitoring techniques for internal load (physiological responses) and external load (physical demands) during training sessions and competitive events. Special focus on understanding the relationships between load data and the outcomes of aerobic power and muscular strength assessments, aimed at optimizing performance and preventing injuries.

Functional Assessment in Young Athletes: Fundamental theoretical principles for functional assessment during developmental stages, with particular attention to athletes in growth phases. The training activity covers methodologies and protocols for evaluating conditional and coordinative abilities, respecting the various stages of biological, motor, and psychological development.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Slide 

Bibliography: The scientific bibliography will be indicated at each lecture.

Book: Test per lo sport e l’attività sportiva. Linee guida per test fisiologico-sportivo e clinico-fisiologici. Calzetti-Mariucci.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The lessons will take place in the 1st semester

The class schedule will be available at the following link: https://easyacademy.unige.it › portale studenti

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination for this teaching module will be conducted in written form and will consist of open-ended questions. This module is part of the integrated course “Biological and Biomechanical Aspects of Sports Performance 1”. Consequently, the examination for this module must be taken simultaneously with the other two modules of the integrated course on the same examination date.

The written test will comprise two open-ended questions and will have a duration of 20 minutes. A minimum score of 18/30 is required to pass this part of the examination.

The integrated course examination is considered passed only if all three individual modules achieve a minimum score of 18/30. The final grade for the integrated course will be calculated as the weighted average of the scores obtained in each of the three modules.

Students with certified learning disabilities (DSA), disabilities, or other special educational needs are entitled to accommodations in accordance with the University regulations on disability and DSA, available at: https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/studenti-disabilit%C3%A0-normativa.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The written examination is designed to assess the acquisition of fundamental knowledge covered in the course. The questions will evaluate the student’s ability to apply this knowledge in both theoretical and practical contexts. Candidates are expected to demonstrate the capacity to integrate and connect concepts presented during lectures with those developed through independent study. The examination will primarily focus on topics addressed during the lectures, encompassing both theoretical foundations and practical applications. In addition to verifying basic knowledge, the test will also assess the candidate’s ability to critically analyze and reflect upon the issues discussed throughout the course.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Cases with a certified DSA, disability or other special educational needs are advised to contact both the Departmental contact person, Prof. Nicola Girtler, and the lecturer at the beginning of lessons in order to agree on teaching and examination methods that, while respecting the teaching objectives, take account of individual learning methods and provide suitable compensatory/exemptory tools recognised by the University DSA service.