Fitness Testing General Considerations

Purpose Education Exercise Prescription Evaluation of progress Motivation Risk stratification

Risks Peak or symptom limited testing –Risk of death – 1/10,000 –Risk of MI – ½,500 –Risk of hospitalization – 1/500

Risks Submaximal testing –None reported

Safety Site –Posted emergency plans –Posted emergency numbers –Announced and unannounced drills –Safe & expeditious exits

Safety Equipment –Written maintenance procedures –Maximal visual supervision –Written cleaning procedures

Safety Personnel –Certification –Training

Test Order Resting measures Body composition Cardiorespiratory fitness Muscular fitness Flexibility

Test Termination Desired end points Signs & symptoms Equipment failure Subject asks to stop

Indications for Stopping an Exercise Test in Low-Risk Adults Angina-like symptoms Drop (20 mmHg) in systolic BP or a failure to rise Excessive rise in BP –systolic pressure > 260 mmHg –diastolic pressure > 115 mmHg Signs of poor perfusion –light-headedness, confusion, ataxia, pallor, cyanosis, nausea, or cold & clammy skin

Indications for Stopping an Exercise Test in Low-Risk Adults Failure of HR to ↑ Noticeable Δ in heart rhythm Subject requests to stop Physical or verbal manifestations of severe fatigue Failure of the testing equipment

Interpretation of Results Data Reduction –Test & client specific Normative data –Test, age, gender, Hx –SEE Repeated assessments –Consistent procedures –Adequate time b/n tests