Table of Contents
Preface v
Acknowledgments vii
Reviewers ix
1 Introduction 1
Defining Health-Related Physical Fitness 1
Components of Health-Related Physical Fitness 2
The Importance of Measuring Health-Related Physical Fitness 4
The Relationship of Physical Fitness to Health 4
The Relationship of Physical Fitness to Function 6
Fundamental Principles of Assessment 6
A Specific Assessment Objective 6
The Gold Standard (True Measure) 7
Equipment Calibration 8
Standardization 8
Interpretation Issues 8
The Physical Fitness Professional 9
Academic Training 9
Credentials 9
2 Reassessment Screening 11
Rationale for Preassessment Screening 11
Informed Consent 12
The Informed Consent Process 12
Explanation of Procedures 14
Screening Procedures 15
Health History Questionnaire 17
Other Health Issues to Consider 24
Understanding Medication Usage 24
Summary 24
3 Risk Factor Assessments 27
Rationale for Risk Assessment 27
Resting Blood Pressure 28
Measurement 28
Interpretation 32
Blood Tests 33
Blood Sampling Methods 34
Standard Precautions 34
Interpretation 35
Obesity 36
Measurement of Height and Weight 37
Measurement of Waist Circumference 40
Interpretation 40
Physical Activity 43
Subjective Assessment 43
Objective Assessment 45
Interpretation 46
Other Diseases and Conditions 47
Pulmonary Disease 47
Osteoporosis 49
Summary 50
4 Body Composition 53
Why Measure Body Composition? 53
Health Implications 54
Functional Implications 54
What Is the Gold Standard Test? 54
Clinical Measures 55
Magnetic Resonance imaging and Computed Tomography 55
Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry 55
Tests of Body Volume 56
Hydrostatic (Underwater) Weighing 56
Plethysmography 62
Anthropometry 63
Skinfold Measurements 63
Circumferences Measurements 69
Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis 70
Interpretation 71
Estimation of Goal Body Weight 74
Summary 74
5 Muscular Fitness 77
Why Measure Muscular Fitness? 77
Unique Assessment Principles 78
Types of Contractions 78
Familiarization 79
Method of Loading 79
Proper Positioning 80
Specificity 80
Muscular Fitness Continuum 81
Strength Assessments 81
Static 81
Dynamic 84
Endurance Assessments 86
Static 86
Dynamic 87
Interpretation Issues 92
Summary 93
6 Flexibility 96
Flexibility as a Component of Health-Related Physical Fitness 96
Unique Assessment Principles 97
Specificity 97
Warm-Up 97
Methods of Measurement 97
Distance Tests for Assessment of Flexibility 99
Sit-and-Reach Test 99
Assessment of lumbar Flexion 100
Assessment of Lumbar Extension 100
Range of Motion Defined 102
Goniometers: Tools to Measure Range of Motion 103
Range of Motion Assessment Overview 103
Specific Range of Motion Tests 104
Interpretation 110
Summary 111
7 Cardiorespiratory Fitness: Estimation from Field and Submaximal Exercise Tests 113
Why Measure Cardiorespiratory Fitness? 114
What Is the Gold Standard Test? 114
Deciding on Which Method to Use 115
Pretest Standardizations for Cardiorespiratory Fitness Assessments 115
Field Tests for Prediction of Aerobic Capacity 115
Step Tests 116
Fixed Distance Tests 117
Fixed Time Tests 118
Submaximal Exercise Tests 119
Predicting Maximal Heart Rate 119
Test Termination Criteria 119
Monitoring 120
Exercise Modes 121
Åstrand Submaximal Cycle Ergometer Test 124
Treadmill 131
Interpretation 132
Sources of Error in Submaximal Prediction 132
Summary 133
8 Cardiorespiratory Fitness: Maximal Exercise Testing 135
Why Use Maximal Exercise Tests to Measure Cardiorespiratory Fitness? 135
Risks 136
Contraindications 137
Monitoring 137
Personnel 138
Selecting the Mode for Testing 140
Protocols 141
Bruce Protocol 144
Balke-Ware Protocol 144
Ball State University/Bruce Ramp Protocol 145
Running Protocol 146
Cycle Protocols 147
Test Procedures 148
Supervisor 148
Test Monitoring Roles 148
Measured and Estimated VO2max 149
Estimating VO2max from Exercise Test Time 149
Estimating VO2max from Peak Workload 150
Interpretation 150
Summary 150
Appendix A Conversions 159
Appendix B Forms 161
Index 171
