Measuring physical
fitness in adults
Measuring physical fitness in adults is usually done on an
individual basis or small group settings, quite different than testing children
in large physical education classes. Although the number of participants in
smaller, the risk of adverse events is higher with adults. Before adults begin a
workout program or fitness testing, a pre-participation cardiovascular screening
should take place. There are many different physical activity readiness
questionnaires being used in the fitness industry today and if your facility has
a policy on screening, make sure to follow it for every client.
A joint position statement between the American Heart
Association and the American College of Sports Medicine regarding
Recommendations for Cardiovascular Screening should be read and understood
before working in the fitness industry. The following is a summary of key points
from the position statement:
·
Physical inactivity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease; it is very
prevalent and an important health issue.
·
The incidence of a cardiovascular event during exercise among patients with
cardiac disease is greater than that among otherwise healthy persons.
·
Overall, in the general population the absolute incidence of death during
exercise is relatively low.
·
All facilities offering exercise equipment or services should conduct a
cardiovascular screening of all new members and/or prospective users.
Pre-participation screening should identify persons at high risk, and public
health efforts should focus on increasing the use of screening. In view of the
potential legal risk assumed by operators of fitness facilities, it is
recommended that those facilities providing staff supervision document the
results of screening.
·
When a medical evaluation/recommendation is advised or required, written and
active communication by facility staff with the individual's personal physician
(or healthcare provider) is strongly recommended.
·
Health appraisal questionnaires should be used before exercise testing and/or
training to initially classify participants by risk for triage and preliminary
decision making. After the initial health appraisal and, if indicated, medical
consultation and supervised exercise test, participants can be further
classified for exercise training on the basis of individual characteristics.
·
Every effort should be made to educate participants about the importance of
obtaining a pre-participation health appraisal and, if indicated, a medical
evaluation/recommendation. The potential risks incurred without obtaining an
appraisal and/or evaluation should also be emphasized.
·
The AHA, the IHRSA, and the ACSM recommend that all health/fitness facilities
have written emergency policies and procedures that are reviewed and practiced
regularly.
It is essential to acknowledge that emergency equipment alone does not save
lives: training and preparedness by astute professional staff who can readily
handle emergencies is paramount.
Many adults remember taking The President’s Challenge
fitness test in school. In 2008, a similar test was launched for adults to track
their fitness – The President’s
Challenge Adult Fitness Test. The test battery was designed to be
self-administered but a partner is needed in a few instances.
The activities featured on this
adult health-related fitness test are provided as a way for the participant to
get an estimate of their level of aerobic fitness, muscular strength and
endurance, flexibility and body composition. The results on each test provide a
measure from which the participant can track their progress in each area as they
become more physically active. There are no pass/fail standards for these tests;
rather the goal is to improve fitness over time. The test battery includes the
following tests:
·
Aerobic fitness
o
1-mile walk
o
1.5-mile run
·
Body composition
o
Body mass index (BMI)
o
Waist girth
·
Muscular strength and endurance
o
Standard or modified push-up
o
Half sit-up
·
Flexibility
o
Sit-and-reach
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