ACSM’s Guidelines For Exercise Testing & Prescription Chapter 4 Physical Fitness Testing & Interpretation

Purposes Of Fitness Testing To educate the patient about their present fitness relative to health-related standards as well as age and gender matched norms.

Providing the data that is helpful in writing responsible and physiologically meaningful exercise prescriptions & which is matched with the patient’s pathologies.

Collection of data over time which provides evidence of progress and training for the patient.

To provide motivation to the patient by establishing reasonable and attainable fitness goals.

Helps the exercise leader to evaluate intensity of the exercise program relative to the patient’s risk profile.

Patient Pre-Test Instructions The patient should have completed the PAR-Q before coming to the clinic for testing. Wear loose fitting comfortable clothing for the test.

Drink plenty of fluids 24-hours prior to coming for the test. Avoid tobacco, alcohol, caffeine and food at least 3-hours prior to the test.

Avoid exercise on the day of the test. Make sure that they are adequately rested the night before the test.

Body Composition Hydrostatic Weighing Plethysmography Body Mass Index (kgbw/Hgtm2) Waistc/Hipc Circumference Waist Circumference Skinfold Measurements Bioelectrical Impedance

For any method used to assess body composition, the patient should : Avoid caffeine, ETOH, diuretics Void completely before assessment No food or drink x 4 hrs. before test Avoid exercise x 12 hrs. before test

Some Field Tests That Are Commonly Used To Assess Fitness Astrand-Ryhming Ergometer Test Cooper’s 1.5 Mile Run Cooper’s 12-minute Test Fisher-Fairbanks Walking Test Sharkey’s Step test Rockport One-Mile Walking Test

Monitoring & Precautions Heart rate Blood pressure RPE - Borg Scale Subjective symptoms - SOB, diaphoresis, chest pain, unusual fatigue, nausea, changed vision, vomiting, etc.

Reasons To Stop An Exercise Test Onset of angina Drop in systolic BP or failure to rise when load is increased BP >260/115 mm Hg Signs of poor perfusion - cyanosis, dizziness, confusion, light-headedness, ataxia, etc.

Failure of HR to rise with increased workload Noticeable change in heart rhythm Subject requests to stop Severe fatigue Equipment failure

Other Tests Evaluations Of Muscle Strength Muscular Endurance 1 RM 6 RM 10 RM Muscular Endurance Flexibility Sit and Reach test