Fitness Assessment

A fitness assessment is a series of measurements that help determine physical fitness. There are several standard tests in a fitness assessment and many involve exercise in some form. The main tests are fitness assessments, evaluation of body composition, muscular strength, muscular and cardiovascular endurance and flexibility. Additional tests may evaluate resting heart rate and blood pressure and maximal aerobic capacity.

Fitness testing can be done in two areas i.e. health-related fitness and skilled-related fitness.

- Health-related fitness - we refer body composition (height, weight, body mass index), aerobic capacity (e.g., treadmill stress test), flexibility (sit and reach, shoulder stretch, etc.), muscular endurance and muscular strength.

- Skilled-related fitness we refer agility, balance, anaerobic power and those specific motor skills. All of these testings and each of them taken separately should be conducted by and under control of a professional. Otherwise they are useless.

A fitness assessment is frequently performed at a health club, and these tend to be fairly minor assessments. The assessors may not be particularly well trained. In most cases, if one has not exercised much in the past, the best place to assess fitness is with one’s doctor prior to beginning an exercise regime. Some of the tests performed may be similar, but will have the added attraction of interpretation by an expert.

A physician can also help one establish a modified fitness program based on high blood pressure readings, or on any heart anomalies. A doctor can also help address such problems medically as needed. This is most valuable since it can be dangerous to proceed with an exercise program if one has cardiac or blood pressure issues. Any injuries may also be evaluated to help determine the safest way to become more fit, or to maintain physical fitness.