The International Fitness Scale (IFIS)
Wouldn't it be great to be able to measure someone's fitness without doing any actual testing, relying solely on replies to a simple questionnaire that could be completed in minutes? The International Fitness Scale (IFIS) can do just that. The questionnaire devised by Ortego et al (2011) for testing adolescents, gives a measure of fitness based on the answers to 5 basic questions about fitness, with answers based on the 5-point Likert-scale. This test is similar to the Topend Sports devised The Fitness Quotient.
The test is simple, easy to conduct, and no testing equipment is necessary. It is a tool created as an alternative when field-based fitness measures cannot be collected for time or practical reasons. When physical testing can be conducted, it would be the preferred method of measuring physical fitness.
The Questionnaire
When conducting the test, the following text should be included for the person being assessed to read:
"It is very important that you do this test by yourself without taking into account the answers given by your classmates. Your answer is only useful for the progress of science and medicine.
Please answer all the questions and do not leave any blank. Mark only one answer per question, and more important: be sincere. Thank you for your cooperation.
Please try to think about your level of physical fitness (compared to your friends) and choose the right option."
1. Your general physical fitness is:
□ Very poor
□ Poor
□ Average
□ Good
□ Very good
2. Your cardiorespiratory fitness (capacity to do exercise, for instance running, for a long time) is:
□ Very poor
□ Poor
□ Average
□ Good
□ Very good
3. Your muscular strength is:
□ Very poor
□ Poor
□ Average
□ Good
□ Very good
4. Your speed / agility is:
□ Very poor
□ Poor
□ Average
□ Good
□ Very good
5. Your flexibility is:
□ Very poor
□ Poor
□ Average
□ Good
□ Very good
Reference
- Ortega FB, Ruiz JR, España-Romero V, Vicente-Rodriguez G, Martínez-Gómez D, Manios Y, Béghin L, Molnar D, Widhalm K, Moreno LA, Sjöström M, Castillo MJ; HELENA study group. The International Fitness Scale (IFIS): usefulness of self-reported fitness in youth. Int J Epidemiol. 2011 Jun;40(3):701-11. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyr039. Epub 2011 Mar 24.
- This study found that adolescents reporting better fitness had higher measured fitness levels for all the variables studied (all P < 0.001), regardless of gender, age and weight status. Perfect agreement (same test-retest answer) was observed in 65% of the adolescents and perfect-acceptable agreement (same answer or ±1) in 97% of the adolescents.
Related Pages
- The Fitness Quotient — a similar questionnaire which gives a measure of fitness based on the answers to 10 simple questions.
- World Fitness Level — online VO2max and fitness age calculator based on questions.
- More on the measurement of a fitness index
- About the Likert-scale
- PARQ — pre-exercise questionnaire.
- Other athletes and sport Questionnaires
- Other Sport Science research project ideas.
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.
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