FITNESS TESTS AND MEASURES

TEST FOR AEROBIC CAPACITY 

• primary prevention/ risk reduction for cardiovascular or pulmonary disorder 

IMPORTANCE OF AEROBIC CAPACITY: 

• important in many sport in order for the cardiovascular system to continuously provide the muscle with adequate levels of oxygen
• it serves as an index of cardiovascular and pulmonary function; 
• it characterizes the functional capacity of the cardiopulmonary system to transport oxygen to the working muscles; 
• it is one of the limiting factors in endurance performance.

Two methods to assess aerobic capacity: 

1. a direct assessment of the maximal oxygen consumption (V ̇O2max)
2. an indirect assessment of V ̇O2max through a submaximal test. 

VO2 MAX 

• direct assessment of V ̇O2max requires sophisticated equipment and procedures that may include oxygen and carbon dioxide analyzers, an ergometer on which workload may be modified, or collection of expired air volume measured via Douglas bags or a Tissot tank, or measured by a pnuemotach or turbine ventilometer
• used as a representation of how much oxygen your body uses during exercise at a maximum effort
• This formula can be used to determine functions of both your central factors (blood, lung, heart), and peripheral (skeletal muscles) factors.

Queens College Step test

• purpose: step tests have been developed to measure aerobic fitness using a simple test requiring minimal equipment and space.
• equipment required: the equipment required will vary on the test being conducted. 

• step or platform needs to be of solid construction, and will vary in height between 15-50 cm or 6-20 inches
• stopwatch 
• a metronome or pre-recorded cadence tape depending on which procedure you are using.

• pre-test: Explain the test procedures to the subject. Perform screening of health risks and obtain informed consent. Prepare forms and record basic information such as age, height, body weight, gender, test conditions. Check step height and set metronome.
• procedure: The athlete steps up and down on the platform at a given rate for a certain time or until exhaustion. Heart rate may be recorded during the test and/or for some period afterwards

TEST OF MUSCULAR FITNESS 

• can be assessed through traditional manual muscle tests, manual muscle testing 

IMPORTANCE OF MUSCULAR FITNESS

• Muscular strength and endurance are important for many reasons: 
• Increase your ability to do activities like opening doors, lifting boxes or chopping wood without getting tired. 
• Reduce the risk of injury. 
• Help you keep a healthy body weight.

Manual Muscle Testing 

• a series of manual manipulations, using both gravity and resistance to test your muscle's strength, its ability to contract, and resilience of muscle mass

Wrist Flexion 

Grade 5 (Normal) and Grade 4 (Good) 

• Position of Patient (All Tests): Short sitting. Forearm is supported on its dorsal surface on a table. To start, forearm is supinated. Wrist is in neutral position or slightly extended. 
• Position of Therapist: One hand supports the patient's forearm under the wrist 
• Test: Patient flexes the wrist, keeping the digits and thumb relaxed. 

TEST OF FLEXIBILITY 

• can be assessed through traditional range of motion and/or muscle length tests

IMPORTANCE OF FLEXIBILITY 

• improves mobility, posture, muscle coordination, reduces the risk of injuries and muscle soreness
• leads to a better overall “shape”
• mainly increases your range of motion and makes it easier for you to perform certain exercises

Straight Leg Raise (SLR) test 

• a neurodynamic test
• a neural tension test that can be used to rule in or out neural tissue involvement as a result of a space occupying lesion, often a lumbar disc herniation.
• one of the most common neurological tests of the lower limb.

Technique:

• The straight leg raise is a passive test. 

1. Each leg is tested individually with the normal leg being tested first.
2. When performing the SLR test, the patient is positioned in supine without a pillow under his/her head, the hip medially rotated and adducted, and the knee extended. 
3. The clinician lifts the patient's leg by the posterior ankle while keeping the knee in a fully extended position. 

sources: 

Hislop, H. J., & Montgomery, J. (2007). Daniels and Worthingham's muscle testing: techniques of manual examination. 8th ed. / St. Louis, Mo.: Saunders / Elsevier.

https://www.physio-pedia.com/Straight_Leg_Raise_Test

https://youtu.be/qj_Dg1F5WME

https://www.freeletics.com/en/blog/posts/flexibility/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/nursing-and-health-professions/aerobic-capacity

https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/physical-activity/muscular-strength-and-endurance

https://www.topendsports.com/testing/tests/step.htm?fbclid=IwAR2rS_7CmetAqvrXVsULLTqQcJX89mKPmT4wj2TjCsR9r9XT5TpyXZt2OyI