Fitness assessment

A fitness assessment is a set of tests used after health screening to establish a client’s fitness before writing a program.^{1Schoenfeld and Snarr (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, 3rd ed., p. 189.} Tests typically cover five components: aerobic endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility and body composition.^{2Schoenfeld and Snarr (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, 3rd ed., p. 676.} For athletic clients, trainers may add tests of agility, balance, coordination, power, quickness and speed.^{2Schoenfeld and Snarr (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, 3rd ed., p. 676.}

ACSM identifies four purposes: establish a baseline and educate the client, guide an individualized program, track progress, and motivate the client with reasonable goals.^{3Ozemek et al., ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 12th ed., p. 166.} Results also help trainers identify areas of potential injury and choose starting intensities and volumes.^{1Schoenfeld and Snarr (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, 3rd ed., p. 189.}

In practice

• Choose tests that fit the client’s health and exercise history, goals and your experience; no single test battery suits everyone.^{1Schoenfeld and Snarr (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, 3rd ed., p. 189.} The NSCA calls an endless barrage of tests with little bearing on the client’s goals a violation of their trust.^{4Schoenfeld and Snarr (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, 3rd ed., p. 190.}
• Take resting measures first: heart rate, blood pressure, height, weight and body composition.^{5Ozemek et al., ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 12th ed., p. 169.} ACSM says no optimal order has been established for exertional tests, but they shouldn’t repeatedly stress the same muscle group, and the same order should be used at follow-up sessions.^{5Ozemek et al., ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 12th ed., p. 169.}
• Compare results with age and sex norms while accounting for individual differences.^{2Schoenfeld and Snarr (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, 3rd ed., p. 676.}
• Stay within your scope of practice: assessments establish movement, balance and fitness baselines, not rehabilitation plans.^{6International Sports Sciences Association, Strength and Conditioning, p. 175.} ISSA tells trainers to refer concerning results to a rehabilitation specialist.^{6International Sports Sciences Association, Strength and Conditioning, p. 175.}