Welcome to NSW Sport and Recreation's website.

Sports fitness testing

The Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation specialise in the measurement of fitness and development of physical performance for individuals and teams at all levels of ability.

We offer athletes, both elite and recreational, a comprehensive and affordable range of specialised fitness testing services including:

Further tests may be available on request. We can tailor fitness assessments to your needs. Contact us to discuss requirements, pricing and package options.

Testimonials
"The Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation is one of the best sports training venues in Australia. As an athlete competing internationally, I need the most advanced sports science and facilities support which the Academy provides".

AJ Bear – Australian Alpine Skier

"It's only been a month since I did the VO2 max test at the Sydney Academy of Sport but in that small time my fitness has gone ahead in leaps and bounds. I'm now beating riders I couldn't keep up with before. The big improvement comes from finding out what my lactate and heart rate levels are so I could train at the right intensities. Before I was just riding as long and as far as I could, which just made me tired and slow. After the tests were done Phil and Rebecca wrote up a 5 page report which explained my deficiencies and strengths. They then set out exercises that would improve my fitness levels.

The test themselves are a great experience and the help you receive all the way through from Phil and Rebecca made me feel very comfortable with the whole exercise. I highly recommend it as in my mind it's the best money you can spend on making yourself go faster and longer on your bike".

Laurie – public/fee for service client

"Thanks Phil for the VO2 and Lactate test you and your team done for me, the data has helped my coach put a more perfect and refined training program together to help me on the road to run 100km in May".

Craig – public/fee for service client

Fitness testing services

Field testing

Field testing

Suitable for groups

Field testing provides assessment of:

  • Height
  • Weight
  • Abdominal strength
  • Flexibility
  • Vertical jump
  • Speed and acceleration
  • Agility
  • Mutli-stage fitness test (beep test)

Includes: Full explanation of results and comparison to normal values developed using our Talented Athlete Program. Further tests may be available on request.

Strength and conditioning

Strength and conditioning

Suitable for groups and individuals

Strength and conditioning programs are targeted at improving specific physical capacities in order to improve athletic performance. Academy staff have a wealth of experience in the development and implementation of fitness programs for organisations ranging from local soccer clubs to the NSWIS Winter Sports Program.

Specifically tailored strength and conditioning programs can be written for all athletes, and are most effective when combined with our sports fitness testing services.

Face-to-face strength and conditioning sessions can also be arranged for both individuals and teams.

Includes: written programs, fitness testing to monitor athletic development, face-to-face strength and conditoning sessions.

VO2 Max and lactate threshold testing

VO2 Max and lactate threshold testing

Suitable for groups and individuasl. Allow approximately 90 minutes.

During exercise, humans utilise oxygen to fuel muscular contraction. The maximum ability to utilise oxygen (VO2max) or aerobic power is generally measured using a graded exercise test (GXT) to exhaustion. During the GXT the athlete exercises at progressively increasing workloads on an appropriate ergometer (eg. treadmill, rowing ergometer, bicycle ergometer) while the volume and compostion of air breathed is directly measured. The directly measured VO2max has been used for many years as the gold-standard measure of ‘endurance exercise potential’.

Following each stage of the GXT, a small sample of blood is taken from the earlobe in order to measure blood lactate (lactic acid) concentration. Lactic acid is a byproduct of the anaerobic energy system. Blood lactate concentration increases when the production of lactic acid is greater than its removal – generally during higher intensities of exercise. The anaerobic threshold (AT) is an important marker of ‘endurance exercise performance’ and can be accurately determined using blood lactate results.

Skin fold test (included with VO2 and lactate tests)
Taken from 7 bodily sites, a skin-fold analysis gives the athlete a precise estimate of body fat levels. Values are then compared to optimal values and methods of obtaining the ideal body composition for your chosen sport can be discussed.

Includes:

  • A comprehensive analysis of results and written report
  • Skin fold test
  • Sydney Academy drink bottle .

Anaerobic peak power

Suitable for groups and individuals. Allow approximately 30 minutes.

A 10 second (s), 30 s or 60 s bicycle sprint test designed according to specific sporting needs. This test provides a measurement of peak power production, as well as the ability to resist fatigue. The athlete pedals at maximum intensity for the allotted period of time, while the power output is recorded every 5 s. Blood lactate is measured following the test which provides information on the ability to produce energy via the anaerobic pathways. High power output and lactate values indicate a good anaerobic capacity, whereas low power output and lactate values indicate that specific training is required.

Includes: analysis of results and written report.

Isokinetic muscle testing (cybex)

Isokinetic muscle testing (cybex)

Suitable for groups and individuals. Allow approximately 30 minutes.

Isokinetic testing measures the force production capabilities of the muscles responsible for movement around the knee joint. This test accurately highlights imbalances between extensor (quadriceps) and flexor (hamstrings) muscles and indicates strength differences between the left and the right limbs. These comparisons can aid in predicting the risk of muscular injury and in monitoring athletes during a rehabilitation program.

Includes: analysis of results and written report.

Video analysis

Video analysis

Suitable for groups and individuals. Allow approximately 30 minutes.

Various analysis types include:

  • Normal video
  • High speed video
  • Split screen video
  • Underwater video
  • Running technique.

Includes:

  • Biomechanical analysis of footage for most sports
  • Written report and basic training tips and techniques.

Bookings and enquiries

We can tailor fitness assessments to your needs.

For more information, price and package options, enquire below or phone (02) 9454 0160. Bookings are essential for all services.

Fitness testing enquiry

Contact details
Preferred method of contact
Testing and details

Fitness tests of interest:



and lactate testing