Its a compilation of both traditional and recent advance techniques of not only assessing musculoskeletal but also cardiovascular and respiratory endurance as well as strength

1. Compilation Of Physical Fitness
Assessment And Testing Along With
Recent Advances

2. Contents
1. Introduction to fitness, definition, and aims of fitness testing.
2. Components of physical testing:
I. Health related:
A. Cardiovascular: LAB test(5) and Field test (5)
B.Musculoskeletal: strength (), endurance(), flexibility()
C.Body composition.
II. Skill related physical tests:
D. Agility
E. Balance
F. Co-ordination
G. Speed
H. Reaction time
I. power

3. INTRODUCTION
Fitness is the ability to meet the demands of the environment.
Fitness includes many components like: Physical, mental, social and emotional.
According to WHO :
It is the ability to perform muscular work satisfactorily.
According to ACSM (1990)
Physical fitness is the ability to perform moderate to vigorous levels of
physical activity without undue fatigue and the capability of maintaining such
ability throughout life.

4. AIMS OF FITNESS TESTING
 To identify strengths and weakness in current performance or state of health.
 To provide feedback regarding the effectiveness of a training / life style modification
program.
 To provide the information which will form a basis for better understanding of the
body and its capabilities by the individual concerned.

5. COMPONENTS OF PHYSICAL FITNESS
Health related physical fitness
1. Cardiorespiratory endurance
2. Musculoskeletal
strength
endurance
flexibility
3. Body composition
Skill related physical fitness
1. Balance
2. Co-ordination
3. Speed
4. Reaction time
5. Power

6. Health related physical fitness
These are the components of physical fitness which needs to be assessed to determine the
physical fitness level of a person.
These are further divided on the basis of body systems into:
1. Cardiovascular fitness
2. Musculoskeletal fitness
3. Body composition

7. CARDIORESPIRATORY ENDURANCE
Cardiorespiratory endurance is the ability to perform dynamic exercise
involving large muscle groups at moderate to high intensity for prolonged
periods.
Key components used in determining cardiovascular fitness are: VO2 max,
Heart rate, heart rate max, dyspnea,
Exercise physiologist measures the maximum oxygen consumptions(VO2
max) or rate of oxygen utilization of muscles during aerobic exercise, in order
to assess cardiorespiratory endurance and functional aerobic capacity.
Graded exercise test(GXT) are used for this purpose.

8. There are various methods to assess the cardiovascular fitness, among which
they are divided into two types:
Lab Tests:
1.Treadmill
2. Bicycle ergometer
3.Step testing
Lab Tests:
1.Treadmill
2. Bicycle ergometer
3.Step testing
Field Tests:
1. Cooper 12min run test
2. 1-1.5mi walk/run test
3. Rockport walking test
4. Multishuttle test
5. Step test
Field Tests:
1. Cooper 12min run test
2. 1-1.5mi walk/run test
3. Rockport walking test
4. Multishuttle test
5. Step test

9. TREADMILL MAXIMAL EXERCISE TEST
The exercise is performed on a motor driven
treadmill with variable speed and inclination.
Speed varies up to 25 mph.
Workload on the treadmill is raised by increasing
speed or inclination or both.
ACSM walking equation
VO2(ml.kg-1.min-1)=
3.5+speed(m/min)×0.1+grade(decimal)×speed×1.8

10. BRUCE PROTOCOL-
Most commonly used
Intense workload over a relatively short period
Progressively increases in speed
Progressively increases gradient
3 minute stages
MODIFIED BRUCE PROTOCOL-
For patients unable to attempt Bruce (post
Infarction, arthritic conditions)
More gentle protocol
1st three stages, increase in gradient only
3 minute stages

12. NAUGHTON-
Longer protocol
Gentle workload
Used for high risk patients (post Infarction, CCF)
ELLESTAD-
Constant incline
Increase in speed only

14. Treadmill exercise test protocols are used
according to specific population such as athletes,
high risk patients.
Balke and bruce are well suited for normal
individuals.
Modified bruce is well suited for high risk and
elderly individuals.
Costill and fox is for highly trained population.

15. TREADMILL SUBMAXIMAL EXERCISE
TEST
Similar to that of maximal exercise test, except
they are terminated at some predetermined heart
rate intensity.
Treadmill submaximal tests provides an estimate of
functional aerobic capacity(VO2)max and assume a
linear increase in heart rate with successive
increments in work load.
VO2 max can be predicted from either single stage
model or multistage model.

17. BICYCLE ERGOMETER MAXIMAL EXERCISE TEST
The bicycle ergometer is a widely used instrument for
assessing cardiorespiratory fitness.
Constant pedaling speed is necessary. In some ergometer
speedometer is present , in electrically braked bicycle
ergometer it is automatically adjusted.
The workload on the bicycle ergometer is raised by
increasing the resistance on the flywheel.

18. The power is usually expressed in kilogram meters per min or
watts.
Power = force×distance×time (rpm)
For untrained cyclists the pedaling rate is 50-60rpm and 80rpm
for trained cyclists.
ACSM equation for leg ergometer
VO2=3.5ml.kg-1.min-1×kgBW+kgm.min-1×2
Maximal test protocols:1. Astrand (1965)
2.Fox (1973)

19. BICYCLE ERGOMETER SUBMAXIMAL EXERCISE
TESTS
Bicycle ergometer multistage, submaximal tests can be used to
predict VO2 max.
These tests are either continuous or discontinuous.
They are based on the assumptions that heart rate and oxygen
uptake are linear functions of work rate.
The heart rate response to submaximal work loads is used to
predict VO2 max.

20. Submaximal exercise test protocol
1. YMCA
2. Astrand-Ryhming

23. BENCH STEPPING MAXIMAL EXERCISE
TESTS
Least desirable mode of exercise for
maximum exercise testing is bench
stepping.
Increase in intensity of the work is by
gradually increasing the height of bench or
stepping rate.
W=F×D (work performed) F-body weight
D-bench height, times number of steps
per
min.
For graded exercise test, either step height is
increased or step rate.

24. For step height(cm)= work(kgcm.min-1)
[body wt(kg)×stepping rate]
For stepping rate(steps min-1)= work
[BW×step ht]
ACSM equation
Steps/min×0.35+m/step×steps/min×1.33×1.8

25. BENCH STEPPING SUBMAXIMAL TEST
Astrand Ryhming step test protocol:
Men: VO2 max (L . Min-1)=3.744[(BW kg +5)/(HR-62)]
Women: VO2 max (L . Min-1)=3.750[(BW kg -3)/(HR-65)]
Queen’s college step test protocol
Men: VO2 max (L . Min-1)=111.33-(0.42HRbpm)
Women: VO2 max (L . Min-1)=65.81-(0.1847HRbpm)

26. COOPER 12-MIN RUN FIELD TEST
On a flat course or track the subject walks/runs as far as possible in 12 mins and distance
covered is recorded.
The most commonly used distance run involve distances of 1 to 1.5miles to evaluate aerobic
capacity.

27. THE ROCKPORT WALKING TEST
The subject walks the 1 mile distance and the time taken to complete the distance is
recorded and put into specific equations.
The subject walks 1 mile as fast as possible and the HR is measured in the final minute
during the last one quarter mile.

28. THE MULTISHUTTLE TEST
This test was originally developed by Leger and Lambert(1982).
Consists of incremental stages of running back and forward between two markers set 20
meters apart with the pace set by beeps.

29. MUSCULOSKELETAL
STRENGTH
Muscular strength may be defined as the ability of a muscle group to develop maximal
contractile force against a resistance in a single contraction.
It depends upon velocity, force is maximum when limb is not rotating. As speed of joint
rotation increases muscular force decreases.

30. Type of contraction:
1. Static or isometric
2. Dynamic or isotonic( concentric, eccentric)
3. Isokinetic
Strength testing mode:
Static – Isometric dynamometers, cable tensiometers, computerized leg press machine
Dynamic- constant resistance: free weights
variable resistance: exercise machine
Isokinetic – Isokinetic dynamometer

31. Field methods
1. Calisthenic type strength test
2. Vertical jump test
3. Pull up/chin up test

32. ISOMETRIC TEST
Using dynamometer
CABLE TENSIOMETER
Used to assess static strength.
Given by Clarke 1966.

33. DYNAMIC STRENGTH TEST
1 RM Bench press test( constant resistance) Exercise machine

34. ISOKINETIC EXERCISE MODE
With isokinetic dynamometer

35. FIELD METHOD
Calisthenic type strength test
Given by Johnson and Nelson 1986.
Used to measure dynamic strength.
It determines the maximum weight in excess of body
weight, that can be lifted for one repetition.
For each test weight plates (2.5,5,10,25 pounds)are
attached to the individual.

36. VERTICAL JUMP TEST

37. Recent advances
Hamstring Nord Board:
A novel field testing device to
measure eccentric knee flexor
strength and between limb strength
asymmetry.
High to moderate
reliability(ICC=0.83 to 0.90)

38. Externally fixed unilateral hamstring dynamometerIt is a set-up for hamstring strength testing.
The setup and equipment include calibrated load
cell secured to the floor, an electronic examination
table, a seatbelt and a portable 45 degree wedge.
Maximum voluntary peak force was recorded on
an electronic display.
Quick to implement and safe to use during the
competitive season.
Normal ranges: Combined= 441N
Left leg= 433N
Right= 450 N
Good to high inter & intra- rater
reliability(ICC=0.87)

39. Isometric Mid-thigh PullAlthough IMTP is an isometric test , it is
still nonetheless therefore a proper warm
up should be completed before the test is
performed.
After giving the athlete 1 non maximal
practice pull, the athlete perform2
maximal IMTP.3-5 minutes gap given
between 2 pull

40. Back Leg Chest strength dynamometer
A single measure to characterize
overall muscle strength is
advantageous because it saves time
and costs of evaluation.
It characterizes total body strength.
High reliability (ICC=0.92)

41. Augusten Strength Test
Hip strength is important to a wide range of
athletic and sporting activities(eg. Soccer,
gymnastics, weight lifting).
According to the studies the normal Dynamic
Strength test results in kilograms is 12.1 ±2.4.
High reliability(ICC=0.93to 0.94)

42. ENDURANCE
Ability of a muscle group to perform repeated
contractions over a period of time sufficient enough to
cause fatigue.
Tests for assessing endurance
1. By use of dynamometer
2. Constant resistance and variable resistance
3. Isokinetic endurance test
4. Calisthenic type endurance test
5. Push up test
6. Partial curl up test

44. Dynamic muscle endurance test with variable
resistance.
Test battery containing of 7 items may be used to assess
dynamic muscle endurance.
The weight is set percentage of individuals body weight
and is lifted a max of 15 repetitions.

45. FLEXIBILITY
Flexibility is the ability of a joint, or series of joints,
to move fluidly through a full range of motion.
There are 2 types of flexibility:
Static flexibility – is a measure of the total ROM at a
joint.
Dynamic flexibility- is a measure of the torque or
resistance to movement.
Static flexibility is assessed in field and clinical
settings by measuring ROM directly or indirectly.

46. Indirect method of
measuring static
flexibility
1. Sit and reach test
2. trunk extension
3. shoulder evaluation.
Direct methods of
measuring static
flexibility
1. Universal goniometer
test procedures
2. Flexometer test
procedures
3. Inclinometer test
procedures

48. BODY COMPOSITION
Body composition describes the relative proportions of fat mass and
fat-free mass(bone, water, muscle, connective and organ tissues).
Methods of body composition assessment
BMI
Waist and hip circumference
Waist height ratio
Hydrodensitometry ( underwater weighing)
Skinfold and girth measurement
Bioelectrical impedance
Near –infrared interactance (NIR)
Air displacement Plethysmography(ADP)

49. Computed tomography (CT)scans and positron
emission tomography ( PET)
 Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy
 Ultrasound
Thermography
 Isotopic dilution
 DEXA
 Three- dimensional body scanning

50. SKILL RELATED PHYSICAL FITNESS
AGILITY: The ability to change direction accurately and quickly.
It is used in situations where it is necessary to run around
opposition team members or around a court.
Tests for agility are:
1. Illinois agility test
2. Agility shuttle run test
3. Quadrant jump test
4. Agility T- test
5. Hexagon Agility test
6. Z test

51. 1.
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52. Recent advances
The Basketball Multicomponent Agility Test
BMAT is a new test designed to
assess the agility in basketball
players.
The BMAT is able to stress aspects
of linear acceleration and change
of direction speed along with
components like mapping, sharp
cuts, jumping, 180 and 360 degree
turns and retropulsion (running
backward) which are mandatory
in basketball.
High reliability (ICC=0.93)

53. BALANCE
The ability to maintain equilibrium of the body.
Balance is required in some sports. Example gymnasts
needs good balance.
Tests for balance are: Balance beam test
Balance board test
Standing balance test

54. CO-ORDINATION
Co-ordination is the ability to execute smooth, accurate, controlled motor responses.
It can include hand-eye co-ordination in catching a ball or eye-foot co-ordination in kicking
a ball.
Light-Hand co-ordination

55. SPEED
The quickness with which one can move the body from one point to another.
It is important in all form of racing.
Test – Sprint test

56. REACTION TIME
It is the time taken by a person to respond to a given stimulus.
It is required in sprinters.
Test are – Groningen reaction time test
Stick/ruler drop test
Reaction light board test

57. POWER
The ability to produce strength performances quickly.
That is the combination of strength and speed.
Tests- Hop test
Standing long jump test ( Broad jump)

58. Thank YouThank You