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Vail Resorts has instituted an on-snow employee fitness test. Rumor has it that over half of the people failed some of the parts.
I found the general outline of the test but not the specific pass/fail criteria. I wish I had a little bit better description of the tests. This may contain a few nuggets of wisdom for us to think about this summer.
http://jobs.vailresorts.com/skijob1/...%20Summary.pdf
I found the general outline of the test but not the specific pass/fail criteria. I wish I had a little bit better description of the tests. This may contain a few nuggets of wisdom for us to think about this summer.
1. The Fitness Certification
The Fitness Certification is a series of seven distinct assessments replicating the physical demands
involved in the covered ski and ride positions including but not limited to actually skiing and riding. It
includes the following tests:
Quadrant Jump Test: This test assesses an individual’s agility, replicating the physical demands
posed by stopping, turning, changing directions suddenly, adapting to uneven, varying terrain,
and moving in both directions.
Box Test: This test assesses an individual’s lifting ability, replicating the physical demands posed
by lifting ski and ride equipment, on-mountain equipment such as signage, bamboo or tools,
children or adult guests, or toboggans while aiding guests.
Balance Test: This test assesses an individual’s balance, replicating the physical demands
posed by changing direction and moving laterally, terrain changes especially when they are
unexpected due to poor visibility, and navigating ski runs.
Step Test: This test assesses an individual’s aerobic efficiency, replicating the physical demands
and simulating the metabolic equivalents (METS) posed by skiing or riding for long periods of
time or on challenging or difficult terrain.
Sit and Reach Test: This test assesses an individual’s flexibility, replicating the physical
demands posed by changing direction and moving laterally, terrain changes, and lifting, carrying
and holding.
Curl up Test: This test assesses an individual’s strength and endurance, replicating the physical
demands posed by lifting, lowering and carrying equipment, skiing and riding for extended
periods, and avoiding and recovering from a fall.
Push Up Test: This test also assesses an individual’s strength and endurance, replicating the
physical demands posed by changing direction and moving laterally, terrain changes, and lifting,
carrying and holding.
2. The Functional Movement Screen
Test #1: Deep Squat: This test is used to assess bilateral, symmetrical, mobility of the hips,
knees, and ankles, as well as the bilateral, symmetrical mobility of the shoulders and the thoracic
spine. Poor performance on this test can result from limited mobility in the upper torso which
might be attributed to poor glenohumeral and/or thoracic spine mobility or limited mobility in the
lower extremity including poor closed-kinetic chain dorsi-flexion of the ankle and/or poor flexion of
the hip.
Test #2: Hurdle Step: This test is used to assess bilateral mobility and stability of the hips, knees
and ankles. Poor performance on this test may simply be due to poor stability of the stance leg or
poor mobility of the step leg. However, imposing maximal hip flexion of one leg while maintaining
apparent hip extension of the opposite leg requires an individual to demonstrate relative,
asymmetric hip mobility.
Test #3: In-Line Lunge: This test is used to assess bilateral mobility and stability, as well as
ankle and knee stability. Poor performance on this test can result from several factors including:
a) inadequate hip mobility of either the stance or step leg; b) the stance leg knee or ankle not
having the required stability as the lunge is performed; c) an imbalance between adductor
weakness and abductor tightness about one or more hips; and/or d) tightness of the rectus
femoris on the stance leg.
Test #4: Shoulder Mobility: This test is used to assess bilateral shoulder range of motion
combining internal rotation with adduction and external rotation with abduction. Poor
performance of this test can result from several factors including: a) increased external rotation
being gained at the expense of internal rotation in overhead throwing athletes; b) postural
changes of forward or rounded shoulders caused by excessive development and shortening of
the pectoralis minor and/or latissimus dorsi muscles; and/or c) a scapulothoracic dysfunction
resulting in decreased glenohumeral mobility.
Test #5: Active Straight Leg Raise: This test is used to assess active hamstring and
gastroc/soleus flexibility, while maintaining a stable pelvis. Poor performance during this test can
be the result from several factors including: a) poor functional hamstring flexibility; and/or b)
inadequate passive mobility of the opposite hip which may be the result of iliopsoas tightness
associated with an anterior tilted pelvis. A combination of both these factors will demonstrate an
athlete's relative bilateral, asymmetric hip mobility. This is similar to the relative hip mobility
revealed by the Hurdle Step, however, this test is more specific to the limitations imposed by the
muscles of the hamstrings and the iliopsoas.
Test #6: Trunk Stability Push-Up: This test is used to assess trunk stability in the sagittal plane
while a symmetrical upper extremity motion is performed. Poor performance during this test can
be simply attributed to poor symmetric stability of the trunk stabilizers.
Test #7: Rotational Stability: This test is used to assess multi-planar stability while a combined
upper and lower extremity motion is performed. Poor performance during this test can be simply
attributed to poor asymmetric stability of the trunk stabilizers.
Each FMS test is scored using a scale of 0-3. A “3” is given if the individual can perform the movement
without any compensation according to the established criteria. A “2” is given if the individual can perform
the movement but must use poor mechanics and compensatory patterns to accomplish the movement. A
“1” is given if the individual cannot perform the movement pattern even with compensations. A “0” is
given if the individual has pain during any part of the movement or test. Applicants scoring a “0” on any
test would be referred for close evaluation by the Occupational Health professional during the Medical
Evaluation component of the Assessment Program. If applicants score higher than “0” but less than “3” on
any of the FMS they would be given a voluntary corrective exercise program to help improve any
deficiencies they may have.
The Fitness Certification is a series of seven distinct assessments replicating the physical demands
involved in the covered ski and ride positions including but not limited to actually skiing and riding. It
includes the following tests:
Quadrant Jump Test: This test assesses an individual’s agility, replicating the physical demands
posed by stopping, turning, changing directions suddenly, adapting to uneven, varying terrain,
and moving in both directions.
Box Test: This test assesses an individual’s lifting ability, replicating the physical demands posed
by lifting ski and ride equipment, on-mountain equipment such as signage, bamboo or tools,
children or adult guests, or toboggans while aiding guests.
Balance Test: This test assesses an individual’s balance, replicating the physical demands
posed by changing direction and moving laterally, terrain changes especially when they are
unexpected due to poor visibility, and navigating ski runs.
Step Test: This test assesses an individual’s aerobic efficiency, replicating the physical demands
and simulating the metabolic equivalents (METS) posed by skiing or riding for long periods of
time or on challenging or difficult terrain.
Sit and Reach Test: This test assesses an individual’s flexibility, replicating the physical
demands posed by changing direction and moving laterally, terrain changes, and lifting, carrying
and holding.
Curl up Test: This test assesses an individual’s strength and endurance, replicating the physical
demands posed by lifting, lowering and carrying equipment, skiing and riding for extended
periods, and avoiding and recovering from a fall.
Push Up Test: This test also assesses an individual’s strength and endurance, replicating the
physical demands posed by changing direction and moving laterally, terrain changes, and lifting,
carrying and holding.
2. The Functional Movement Screen
Test #1: Deep Squat: This test is used to assess bilateral, symmetrical, mobility of the hips,
knees, and ankles, as well as the bilateral, symmetrical mobility of the shoulders and the thoracic
spine. Poor performance on this test can result from limited mobility in the upper torso which
might be attributed to poor glenohumeral and/or thoracic spine mobility or limited mobility in the
lower extremity including poor closed-kinetic chain dorsi-flexion of the ankle and/or poor flexion of
the hip.
Test #2: Hurdle Step: This test is used to assess bilateral mobility and stability of the hips, knees
and ankles. Poor performance on this test may simply be due to poor stability of the stance leg or
poor mobility of the step leg. However, imposing maximal hip flexion of one leg while maintaining
apparent hip extension of the opposite leg requires an individual to demonstrate relative,
asymmetric hip mobility.
Test #3: In-Line Lunge: This test is used to assess bilateral mobility and stability, as well as
ankle and knee stability. Poor performance on this test can result from several factors including:
a) inadequate hip mobility of either the stance or step leg; b) the stance leg knee or ankle not
having the required stability as the lunge is performed; c) an imbalance between adductor
weakness and abductor tightness about one or more hips; and/or d) tightness of the rectus
femoris on the stance leg.
Test #4: Shoulder Mobility: This test is used to assess bilateral shoulder range of motion
combining internal rotation with adduction and external rotation with abduction. Poor
performance of this test can result from several factors including: a) increased external rotation
being gained at the expense of internal rotation in overhead throwing athletes; b) postural
changes of forward or rounded shoulders caused by excessive development and shortening of
the pectoralis minor and/or latissimus dorsi muscles; and/or c) a scapulothoracic dysfunction
resulting in decreased glenohumeral mobility.
Test #5: Active Straight Leg Raise: This test is used to assess active hamstring and
gastroc/soleus flexibility, while maintaining a stable pelvis. Poor performance during this test can
be the result from several factors including: a) poor functional hamstring flexibility; and/or b)
inadequate passive mobility of the opposite hip which may be the result of iliopsoas tightness
associated with an anterior tilted pelvis. A combination of both these factors will demonstrate an
athlete's relative bilateral, asymmetric hip mobility. This is similar to the relative hip mobility
revealed by the Hurdle Step, however, this test is more specific to the limitations imposed by the
muscles of the hamstrings and the iliopsoas.
Test #6: Trunk Stability Push-Up: This test is used to assess trunk stability in the sagittal plane
while a symmetrical upper extremity motion is performed. Poor performance during this test can
be simply attributed to poor symmetric stability of the trunk stabilizers.
Test #7: Rotational Stability: This test is used to assess multi-planar stability while a combined
upper and lower extremity motion is performed. Poor performance during this test can be simply
attributed to poor asymmetric stability of the trunk stabilizers.
Each FMS test is scored using a scale of 0-3. A “3” is given if the individual can perform the movement
without any compensation according to the established criteria. A “2” is given if the individual can perform
the movement but must use poor mechanics and compensatory patterns to accomplish the movement. A
“1” is given if the individual cannot perform the movement pattern even with compensations. A “0” is
given if the individual has pain during any part of the movement or test. Applicants scoring a “0” on any
test would be referred for close evaluation by the Occupational Health professional during the Medical
Evaluation component of the Assessment Program. If applicants score higher than “0” but less than “3” on
any of the FMS they would be given a voluntary corrective exercise program to help improve any
deficiencies they may have.
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