EXS 397 Lab #2

FIELD TESTS OF HUMAN HEALTH RELATED FITNESS

INTRODUCTION

Click here to downlaod and print out required data sheet in MS Word

Widespread interest in the role of exercise in the prevention and treatment of health disorders and disease has led to a need for qualified exercise specialists to direct and administer physical fitness programs. The exercise specialist must have the knowledge and skill to appraise physical fitness status and to design exercise programs based on scientifically sound principles. It is vital that an objective evaluation of an individual's present fitness level be made so that proper intensity, duration, frequency, and type(s) of exercise can be prescribed. This evaluation enables you, the professional, to set reasonable goals and prevent any unnecessary physical or emotional stress on the participant's body.

The following is a sampling of the many simple, economic tests have been used for a number of years to collect fitness data on thousands of individuals in non-laboratory, field settings. Because of the many variables found in these fitness tests (such as age, sex, height, weight, and flexibility) these tests should not be considered precise measures and are subject to error. (We will investigate other more accurate laboratory tests in future labs.) With this in mind, do not overemphasize the importance of test standards. They are to be used as general guide for an outline of a fitness program and how the participant compares to other individuals of the same age and sex.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this lab is to introduce you to a variety of simple tests that can be used to evaluate an individual's physical fitness. The tests which follow are a sampling of methods currently used to assess both the skill and health-related components of physical fitness.

Health-Related Fitness is those qualities that are more important to an individual's health and include the following:

1. cardio-vascular endurance

2. flexibility

3. muscular strength

4. muscular endurance

5. body composition**

Skill-Related Fitness include those qualities which enable a person to perform motor (or sport-related) tasks:

1. coordination

2. agility

3. speed

4. balance

5. reaction time

6. power

Physical fitness is only one aspect of total health and well-being. Total health includes (among other things) positive social, dietary, and emotional habits as well as physical fitness. The fitness parameters to be assessed in today's lab are designed to measure the health-related components of fitness.

*there are many similar tests in use today--the tests which follow are by no means a comprehensive presentation of all field tests

**body composition assessment will be discussed in further labs and will therefore not be covered in this exercise

MATERIALS

1. 16-20" step

2. stopwatch

3. meter stick

4. metronome

5. hand-grip dynamometer

6. normative data scales and tables

METHODS

Refer to the information at each station for a description of how to administer and interpret the various tests. EMPHASIZE ACCURACY IN ORDER TO OBTAIN VALID RESULTS.

CARDIO-VASCULAR RESPONSE TO SUBMAXIMAL EXERCISE

1. Harvard Step Test

Description / procedure: The subject steps up and down on the platform at a rate of 30 steps per minute for 5 minutes or until exhaustion. Exhaustion is defined as when the athlete cannot maintain the stepping rate for 15 seconds. The athlete immediately sits down on completion of the test, and the heartbeats are counted for 1 to 1.5, 2 to 2.5, and 3 to 3.5 minutes.

* Scoring: the score is determined by the following equation. Score = (100 x test duration in seconds) divided by 2 x (total heart beats in the recovery periods). 

* Equipment required: step or platform 20 inches (16 inches for women) high, stopwatch, metronome or cadence tape.

* Validity: correlation to VO_2max approximately 0.6 to 0.8

* Advantages: minimal equipment and costs involved, little time required, and can be self-administered.

* Disadvantages: Biomechanical characteristics vary between individuals

Classification of Scores
Below 55	Poor
55-65	Low Average
65-79	High Average
80-90	Good
Above 90	Excellent

FLEXIBILITY ASSESSMENTS

1. Sit and Reach

Description / procedure: This test involves sitting on the floor with legs out straight ahead. Feet (shoes off) are placed flat against the box. Both knees are held flat against the floor by the tester. The athlete leans forward slowly as far as possible and holds the greatest stretch for two seconds. Make sure there is no jerky movements, and that the fingertips remain level and the legs flat.

Scoring: The score is recorded as the distance before (negative) or beyond (positive) the toes. Repeat twice and record the best score.

Equipment required: sit and reach box (or a ruler can be used, held between the feet)

Validity: This test only measures the flexibility of the lower back and hamstrings, and is a valid measure of this.

Reliability: The reliability will depends on the amount of warm-up allowed, and whether the same procedures are followed each time. Most norms are based on no previous warm-up.

Advantages: This is the most commonly used test of flexibility, so there is lots of data for comparison. Also, it is a cheap, easy and quick test to perform.

Disadvantages: Variations in arm, leg and trunk length can make comparisons between individuals misleading.

Other comments: Lower back flexibility is important because tightness in this area is implicated in lumbar lordosis, forward pelvic tilt and lower back pain.

2. Shoulder Lift – see poster in lab

3. Back Hyperextension Test - see poster in lab

MUSCULAR STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE

1. Push-Up Test

2. Sit-Up Test - Canadian Crunch test

3. Hand-grip Dynamometer

RESULTS OF FIELD TESTS

TEST	SCORE	RANK
	RESULT
1. Harvard Step Test
2. Sit and Reach Flexibility
3. Shoulder Lift
4. Crunch
5. Grip Strength a. dominant
b. Grip Strength non-dominant
6. Push-Ups
7. Back Hyperextension

RESULTS

Fill out the data attached data sheet and using the norm data sheets in the lab front board or our textbook (page 559 – 562)

CONCLUSIONS

Questions to think about (not to turn in): Briefly describe your overall performance on these tests. Where is improvement suggested and how might it be accomplished. Working as a professional in your specific field of study, would you need to alter or change these fitness tests? Would you give your students, athletes, clients the results of their tests and how they compare to norm data?