Combined assessment methods

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore why combined assessment methods (CAMs) are useful in identifying specific deficits in an athlete's performance and therefore areas to prioritise development and provide specific protocols which should be adopted in both research and applied settings when using combined assessments.

Abstract: This chapter explores why combined assessment methods (CAMs) are useful in identifying specific deficits in an athlete's performance and therefore areas to prioritise development. It deals with a brief discussion on the validity, reliability and measurement error of combined assessment methods. The chapter provides specific protocols which should be adopted in both research and applied settings when using combined assessments, along with a summary of what the results may indicate. Commonly used combined assessment methods (CAMs) and the variables used to calculate them are displayed. The chapter examines the literature each of the listed CAMs. While a variety of methods are used to assess an athlete's performance, many methods are limited to assessing a single variable used from a single test. Interestingly, correlations between dynamic strength deficit (DSD) and ballistic and isometric performance variables show weak relationships. While reactive strength index (RSI) is a versatile metric that may be used to monitor an athlete's performance in multiple aspects.