What is HKE? It stands for Human Kinetics & Ergonomics. The Rhodes University HKE dept conducts physical tests with us every month.
Physical Test 2: 14th April
Ok, so, I'm still the same height.
HKE testing round 2 was better than the first time simply because I knew what to expect AND to my delight I discovered I had improved in some areas. For starters I had put on weight ( I didn't have that big of a lunch) and if I can keep the gains on the same upward trajectory I am on track to meeting at least one of my goals. Everything else was relatively similar as far as I can remember although I can't wait for the comprehensive feedback on exactly what my improvements are. I think I may have made the most significant gains in flexibility thanks to this Tuesday's MMA session where we were forced to do stretches. I mean forced in a very literal sense as we were paired up and our partner physically forced our legs apart until they could not go any further ( check out number 10 for this crazy adductor stretch). After this session and the slight improvements that I have noticed I am confident that a little more time in the gym, continuing with football and MMA and my newly introduced morning jogs will see me through to my goals earlier than 6 months.
Physical Test 1: 17th March
I was scared to do the physical tests with the HKE dept.
Not because I worried that I'd not be able to manage them (although that was at the back of my mind) but because I didn't want to discover that I wasn't as 'fit' as I thought, as fast as I thought, as strong, as agile or as explosive.
My first disappointment of the day came when I discovered that apparently I am not 6ft as I have always believed, I clocked in at just under 180 cm, over 2 cm shy of what I'd need in order to claim a height of 6ft (if you were 6ft, you were tall my grandmother has always told me). So, short Grant next stood upon the scale to discover that he weighed in at an unimpressive 75.2 kg's although this ultimately meant that my BMI index reflected that I was now in the 'normal' category as was not the case when I was peaking at 81 kg's just under 2 months ago - at my most in-shape I was apparently edging into the 'overweight' category.
There was good news though, according to topendsports.com I have an almost perfect hip to waist ratio of 8.0- thank you genes and diet.
The remainder of the tests didn't really deflate my (already shortened) perception of myself too much further. I managed well in the strength, power, agility and balance tests and I'm excited to see how much I can improve or whether I have already plateaued in some regards. My flexibility needs work but that was something I was aware of. Likewise, my resting heart rate is a lot higher than the lowest I have ever registered it at and I would like to get it down, although my recovery time after exercise was surprisingly swift. eHow Health assures me that cardiac problems ought not weigh too heavily on my mind courtesy of that little stat.
I am excited by the prospect of being able to make considerable improvements during the coming months and registering better scores on the respective tests. Overall I don't feel as if I let myself down too much and will be trying to focus on improving in every aspect especially flexibility and getting back those 2 cm of height I lost somewhere along the way.
