An advanced testing day can give members a clear performance profile across power, reactive ability, mobility and, where appropriate, strength. The session should feel organised and understandable rather than like a laboratory assessment.
This guide outlines a practical way to deliver a sensor-based testing event using Output.
Decide what the event is for
Before choosing exercises, define the objective.
A testing day may be designed to:
Give each member a starting profile
Identify one or two training priorities
Support a new training block
Show progress after a previous assessment
Create an engaging member event
Introduce coaches to structured performance testing
A clear objective will determine which tests belong in the session.
Choose a focused battery
A practical starter battery may include:
Countermovement jump for lower-body jump performance
Squat jump for concentric jump performance
10–5 test for reactive strength
One or two mobility assessments relevant to the members and programme
A strength exercise using barbell velocity where equipment, coaching and athlete experience are appropriate
Selected non-sensor tests or inputs where they add useful context
Do not automatically use every available exercise. A shorter battery is easier to coach consistently and easier for members to understand.
Suggested test order
Start with assessments that require low fatigue and high movement quality. Place more fatiguing assessments later.
A typical order is:
Standardised warm-up
Mobility assessments
Countermovement jump
Squat jump
10-5 test
Strength or conditioning assessments
Result review
The exact order should reflect the selected exercises. Avoid allowing one assessment to unnecessarily compromise the next.
Equipment and staffing
Before the day, confirm:
Charged Output sensors
Correct straps for each exercise
Compatible phones or tablets with the current Capture app
Reliable internet access where live Hub features are required
Safe testing areas
Marked stations
Athlete profiles and groups
Display screen or projector if using leaderboards
A written test protocol for every coach
As a general rule, each sensor being used simultaneously requires an accompanying phone or tablet connected to that sensor. Assign a lead coach to oversee the protocol and a coach or trained staff member to each technical station where possible.
Athlete setup before the event
Complete athlete onboarding in advance. Use athlete invites or QR codes where appropriate and ensure required profile information is accurate. For normative feedback, the athlete’s age and sex information must be completed. Sport information should also be recorded accurately where requested by the platform.
Create a group for the testing cohort so results can be filtered and reviewed together.
Standardise the warm-up
Use the same warm-up for the first assessment and the retest. The warm-up should prepare members for the chosen movements without creating unnecessary fatigue. It may include:
General movement and temperature increase
Dynamic range-of-motion activities
Rehearsal of landing and jumping technique
Submaximal practice attempts
Specific preparation for any strength exercise
Allow athletes who are unfamiliar with a test to practise the movement before recording the scored attempts.
Brief the athletes
Explain:
Why the tests were selected
What each test measures
How many attempts they will complete
The movement standard
Which result will be used
How they will receive their feedback
That one score is not a diagnosis or a complete description of performance
Keep the explanation simple. One clear coaching point per station is normally more useful than a detailed sports-science lecture.
Running the stations
At every station:
Select the correct athlete
Confirm the correct exercise
Apply the sensor using the in-app exercise instructions
Demonstrate the movement standard
Allow an appropriate practice attempt
Record the planned number of attempts
Give consistent rest
Check the result before the athlete leaves
Record relevant notes if execution or conditions affected the test
Use Output’s athlete-switching and retest functions to keep groups moving efficiently.
Managing throughput
Pilot the battery with staff before inviting a large group. Time each station and identify the slowest part of the flow.
To improve throughput:
Use separate devices and sensors at simultaneous stations
Pre-create athlete profiles
Group athletes into small waves
Keep the battery focused
Place the most technical station with the most experienced coach
Use a visible running order
Avoid giving a long individual consultation while other athletes are waiting
The appropriate number of athletes per hour will depend on the battery, equipment and coaching support. Test the workflow in your own environment rather than promising a universal throughput figure.
Reviewing results on the day
Give each member one clear message:
Their strongest quality
The most useful development priority
What the coach recommends next
When progress will be reviewed
Where available, use post-set feedback, dashboards, PDF exports and leaderboards to make the result easier to understand.
Relative leaderboards can be useful during repeat events because they allow members to be recognised for improvement against their own previous performance, rather than only rewarding the highest absolute score.
After the event
Within a reasonable period:
Check for incorrect athlete selection or data entry
Share the agreed result summary
Assign the relevant training focus
Communicate the retest window
Store the protocol for the next event
Record any operational improvements for future testing days
Safety and scope
Testing should be appropriate for the athlete’s age, experience and current health. Stop an assessment if the athlete experiences pain or cannot perform the movement safely. Output provides performance data. It does not replace clinical assessment or professional judgement.
Testing-day checklist
One week before
Confirm the battery and movement standards
Create or clean athlete profiles and groups
Allocate staff, devices and sensors
Test internet and display setup
Send athletes preparation information
The day before
Charge sensors and devices
Update the Capture app
Prepare straps and equipment
Mark stations
Run a staff rehearsal
Before the first athlete
Check the correct account and group
Pair each sensor
Open the correct exercise at each station
Brief staff on attempts, rest and coaching cues
Complete the standard warm-up
During testing
Confirm the athlete before every set
Maintain the movement standard
Check results in real time
Record relevant notes
Keep athlete flow controlled
After testing
Review the data
Share simple feedback
Set the training priority
Schedule the next review
Save improvements to the event protocol
Key takeaway
A successful testing day is built around consistency and clarity. Use a focused battery, standardise the process and ensure every member leaves knowing what their result means and what happens next.