Sports Taster Day

The Sport Science Department at Canterbury Christ Church University offers subject specific visits for students from schools and colleges.

The academic level and pitch of delivery is adapted in order to be appropriate for different year groups.

By way of introduction, a short talk is delivered to give students an overview of the work carried out by the University (e.g. the Sport & Exercise Science degree, research and private sport science support with athletes and teams) which is followed by a brief description of what some of the equipment does.

The following tests can performed in the Physiology laboratory:
• Gas analysis to determine aerobic fitness (VO2 max) can be performed on one of your students. This will be in the form of a maximal test or a sub-maximal test on a stationary bike or treadmill.
• Body composition (using the Bod pod - our body composition assessment system)
• Bloods demonstration (haematocrit and haemoglobin concentrations within blood)
• Lung function assessment
• Wingate (anaerobic power test)
• Biodex (force dynamometer - to assess at muscular strength / performance)
• Blood pressure assessment
Lab tests are available for a maximum of 20 people only.

Exercise bikes
During this session students will perform the PWC160 Test. The PWC160 is a sub-maximal test of aerobic capacity (fitness), and is often used to assess individuals quickly, cheaply and without too much physical exertion. Students will be required to ride on a cycle ergometer (exercise bike) for several minutes at increasing workloads until their heart rate reaches 160 bpm. Following this they will be able to estimate their maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max).PWC160 Test can accommodate up to 20 people.

Another practical option for students is to take part in a ‘Field Fitness Testing Circuit’ in the gymnasium. Typical examples of tests involved are:
• Multistage shuttle run (bleep test) to determine aerobic fitness.
• Explosive power (vertical jump and standing broad jump tests)
• Flexibility (sit & reach)
• Local muscular endurance test (press-up & sit-up tests)
• Hand grip strength
• Back and leg strength
• Shuttle sprints
• Agility test
Field Fitness Tests can accommodate up to 40 people.