Ch.10 Fitness Assessment Selection

& AdministrationIsabella Salle

Key Terms

Laboratory Test: Performed in clinical facilities using specialized diagnostic equipment; metabolic cart, hydrostatic weighing. Allied health professionals are responsible for administering the assessment and evaluation

Diagnostic: Characteristic of a particular species, genus, or phenomenon.

Calibration: Each of a set of graduations on an instrument.

Field Tests: Practical, inexpensive tests that are not diagnostic, walk/run tests, agility test, and 1 RM test, may be sub maximal or maximal.

Formative Evaluation: Includes formal assessment, test protocol, and subjective observations the PT makes during each interaction with the clients-noticing posture, gait, exercise technique, body language

Personal Trainer Factors

In order to maintain objectivity and reduce error, testing protocols that require adept interpreter error, testing protocols that require technical skills to match the abilities of the personal trainer.

It is not reasonable to expect a personal trainer to read through a protocol, administer as assessment to a client, and get good results w/out practice.

Certain tests require quite a but more skill and practice than others do.

Administration & Organization of Fitness Assessments

Requires advanced preparation and organization to assure psychometrically sound results and safe outcomes.

Test Preparation

Appropriate and valuable test outcomes are predicated off of the personal trainer to prepare clients by educating them as to the content of the expectations of the assessment process.

Verify Appropriateness of Selected Assessment Select valid, reliable, and safe assessments that will provide meaningful results requires an

understanding of the goals and health status of the client.

Review Safety Considerations

The implementation of a fitness assessment procedure should occur only after pre-activity screening process.

Administration & Organization of Fitness Assessments Cont.

Select Facilities and Verify Accuracy of Equipment

Ease of administration, cost-effectiveness, availability of equipment, and the facility setting influence the selection and implementation of the assessment process.

Environmental Factors

Temperature and Humidity

High heat and humidity and cold weather exposure need to be considered in selection of assessments.

Altitude

Can impair performance of aerobic endurance.

Test of aerobic endurance may not correlate with normative performance data when assessment takes place at altitudes higher than 1,900 feet.

Test Setting

Issues associated with health and environmental control are important factors related to assessment validity and reliability.

To maximize external distractions and potential anxiety related to the assessment process, the testing area should be quiet and private.

Environmental Factors Cont.

Age

Should be doing appropriate workouts for the age of the client

Sex

Should be doing appropriate workouts for the sex of the client

Pretraining Status

This may affect test selection when the skills required for the test and the relative level of exertion are considered.

Test Implications Organizing and implementing an assessment procedure require the personal trainer’s

detailed attention to a number of tasks.

Determine Sequence of Assessments

Athletic Performance

Resting tests (resting heart rate, blood pressure, height, weight, body composition)

Non-fatiguing tests (flexibility, balance)

Agility Test (T-test)

Maximum power and strength test (3RM power clean, 1RM bench press)

Sprint tests (40-yeard sprint)

Local muscular endurance test (one-minute sit-up test, push-up test)

General Fitness

Resting tests (resting heart rate, blood pressure, height, weight, body composition)

Non-fatiguing tests (flexibility, balance)

Muscular strength tests

Local muscular endurance test (YMCA bench press test, one-minute sit-up test)

Sub-maximal aerobic capacity test (step test, Rockport walking test, 1.5-mile run)

Study Question #1

A 30-year-old female client is an avid 5-kilometer runner but she would like to improve her time. Which of the following tests is the most appropriate to estimate the client’s VO2max?

A. Astrand-Ryhming cycle ergometer test

B. YMCA cycle ergometer test

C. Rockport walking test

D. 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) run

Answer

A. Astrand-Ryhming cycle ergometer test

B. YMCA cycle ergometer test

C. Rockport walking test

D. 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) run

Because of her age and frequent running this would be the most appropriate exercise to improve her time.

Study Questions #2

A personal trainer performs a skinfold body composition test on a client. If the same test is performed two days later with the same body fat percentage result, this test and the result are said to be.

A. Valid

B. Reliable

C. Normative

D. Criterion-referenced

Answer

A. Valid

B. Reliable

C. Normative

D. Criterion-referenced

The answer is reliable because of the body fat percentages are consistent which is why the test would be called reliable.

Study Question #3

All of the following may increase the standard error of measurement of a push-up test to assess muscular strength EXCEPT:

A. An inexperienced personal trainer

B. An injured client

C. Testing a trained client

D. Testing a female client

Answer

A. An inexperienced personal trainer

B. An injured client

C. Testing a trained client

D. Testing a female client

Testing a trained client may not increase the standard error of measurement of a push-up test to assess muscular strength because you will have had been tracking the clients progress so this will eliminate the standard error.

Study Question #4

Which of the following is a recommended sequence of tests that promotes the most accurate results when assessing general fitness?

1. Rockport walking test

2. Sit and reach test

3. Push-up test

4. Skinfold measurements

A. 1,2,3,4

B. 4,3,2,1

C. 1,3,2,4

D. 4,2,3,1

Answer

1. Rockport walking test

2. Sit and reach test

3. Push-up test

4. Skinfold measurements

A. 1,2,3,4

B. 4,3,2,1

C. 1,3,2,4

D. 4,2,3,1

Skinfold measurement, sit and reach test, push-up test and then Rockport walking test is a because it starts gradually and increases and then slowly decreases to a cool down of a walk.

Applied Knowledge For client examples are provided below with a fitness competent to be tested. Identify

two appropriate fitness assessment test for each client based on their background.

Client Description Fitness component to be tested

Test one Test two

27-year-old male Has been participating in 5-kilometer runs for 3 years

Cardiovascular endurance

1.5 mile run 12-minute run

33-year-old female Has been resistance training consistently for 10 years

Muscular strength 1 RM bench press 1RM back quat

41-year-old female Has been diagnosed as obese by her physician

Body composition Girth measurements

BMI or wasit-to-hip ratio

11-year-old male Has no exercise experience of training

Muscular endurance

1-minute sit-up test

Push up test