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AI-Powered Fitness Testing: What can we expect?

AI power is revolutionizing our lives, and fitness testing is no exception to this transformation. AI-powered fitness testing has the potential to greatly change the way we assess an athlete's physical performance, offering greater accuracy, personalization, real-time feedback, and providing insights that would not be otherwise available.

AI and fitness testing - what does the future hold? (an AI-generated image of course!)

What to Expect?

As AI continues to evolve and more real-world applications are created, fitness assessments will incorporate AI technology, with tests becoming more accessible, data-driven, and tailored to individual needs. Not only will the test be better designed, but more detailed results will be obtained, the analysis will be more comprehensive, and the interpretation tailored for each individual.

Enhancing Current Tests

The world of fitness testing with AI does not have to look a lot different to fitness testing today. We don't necessarily need new tests. As discussed in our article about the future of fitness testing, many assessors are reluctant to try new tests, preferring the tests they have experience using, are well-researched, and have available norms.

Many traditional tests that are in common use today can be enhanced with AI technology to improve accuracy, provide real-time feedback, and offer personalized insights.

Here are some common fitness tests that could benefit from AI integration:

• VO2 Max Test – In addition to the measures of oxygen consumption, AI can be used to better quantify if the maximum has been reached, and provide additional information about breathing patterns and heart rate variability to provide more than just a VO2 max score.
• Beep Test and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test – during shuttle test, AI-powered wearables can track changes in pace, heart rate, and fatigue levels to provide deeper insights beyond just a final level result.
• Vertical Jump Test – AI-enhanced motion tracking can measure jump height, takeoff speed, and landing mechanics to better assess explosive power. It can also assess jumping technique and accurately measure jump height which is difficult to determine using traditional methods.
• 40-Yard Sprint Test – The use of AI technology during a speed test can analyze stride length, acceleration, and reaction time to fine-tune sprint mechanics and provide more feedback about the opportunities for improvement than a simple sprint time can.
• Grip Strength Test – Smart devices attached to dynamometers can track grip force patterns to better detect strength imbalances, fatigue rates, and force profiles, thus better identifying areas to improve.
• 1RM Strength Tests – AI-powered gym equipment can estimate max lifts based on the analysis of real-time force and velocity measurements, reducing the need to perform heaving lifting.
• Agility Tests – AI can add additional information to agility tests, to provide precise timing, track the movement efficiency of the athletes, and detect weaknesses in change-of-direction technique and speeds.

How about these as new tests?

It is possible to use AI power to create new tests entirely. Here are some test ideas that we think are possible.

• AI Movement Efficiency Test – a new test that uses computer vision to analyze how efficiently a person moves during sport-specific exercise patterns. AI assesses form, symmetry, and muscle imbalances, providing instant feedback and personalized corrections that could identify weak points in movement patterns, and improve overall performance.
• Dynamic Endurance Prediction Test – Wearable sensors and AI algorithms can measure endurance levels in real-time during activities, adjusting the test dynamically based on heart rate, breathing patterns, and fatigue signals. Instead of relying on fixed time or distance markers, AI predicts how long an individual can sustain high-intensity activity before reaching exhaustion, providing a more personalized measure of stamina.
• Personalized AI Speed & Acceleration Test – This test tracks sprint mechanics using AI-powered motion capture, analyzing stride length, ground contact time, and reaction speed. It provides detailed insights into acceleration efficiency and top speed potential while recommending targeted drills to optimize performance. By breaking down running mechanics, the AI helps athletes fine-tune their sprinting technique.
• AI Cognitive-Physical Reaction Test – Blending physical movement with cognitive challenges, this test evaluates an athlete’s ability to react quickly under pressure. AI monitors performance in tasks like jumping, sprinting, and dodging while simultaneously testing pattern recognition and decision-making skills. This type of assessment is ideal for athletes in fast-paced sports like soccer, basketball, and combat sports, where quick thinking and rapid movement are crucial.
• AI-Powered Balance & Stability Test – Using motion sensors and AI analysis, this test measures micro-movements in stability during both static and dynamic exercises. It assesses core strength, postural control, and balance under different conditions, identifying areas for improvement. AI then generates personalized recommendations to enhance stability, which is essential for injury prevention and overall athletic performance.
• AI Jump Mechanics & Power Test – This test leverages AI motion tracking to assess jump height, force production, and takeoff/landing mechanics. By analyzing each phase of the jump, AI provides insights into maximizing explosive power while reducing injury risks. The test is especially useful for athletes in sports requiring high vertical jumps, such as basketball, volleyball, and track and field.
• Adaptive AI Flexibility & Mobility Test – AI uses computer vision or motion sensors to analyze sport-specific joint range of motion, adapting the test in real time to suggest progressive stretching and mobility drills. The system tracks long-term improvements, providing data-driven insights on flexibility and movement efficiency. This test helps individuals enhance mobility while reducing stiffness and injury risk.
• Body Composition Analysis – AI can refine body fat percentage estimates using advanced image processing and predictive modeling.

Related Pages

• The Future of Fitness Testing
• The Future of AI in Sports
• Fueling the Future: Trends in Sports Nutrition
• Sports Technology — the use of technology is just one of those areas that has made an impact on many sports in the modern day.
• Health Activity Trackers — Smart watches and wristbands are currently popular, and smart garments and loggers you can ingest or inject are not far away.
• Sweat Monitoring — biometric skin monitors to measure sweat rate and composition.
• The winners of the annual Sports Technology Awards
• The Future of Running Shoes
• New Fitness Tests
• Read the Sports Technology entries on the blog.
• Sport science and sports apps

Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.