Fitness Testing
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Senior Fitness Test
Why Test Seniors?
Physical fitness has traditionally been associated with the more active young through to the middle-aged population. However, fitness is most critical for those in their senior years. It is important for older adults to have adequate strength, flexibility, and endurance to accomplish everyday tasks. Assessing these components of fitness can detect weaknesses which can be treated before causing serious functional limitations.
The test kit is suitable for fitness professionals, health care professionals, physical therapists, and therapeutic recreation specialists who work with seniors.
What Tests are included?
The Senior Fitness Test is a simple, easy-to-use battery of test items, that assess the functional fitness of older adults. The test describes easy to understand and effective tests to measure aerobic fitness, strength and flexibility using minimal and inexpensive equipment. The individual fitness test items involve common activities such as getting up from a chair, walking, lifting, bending, and stretching. The tests were developed to be safe and enjoyable for older adults, while still meeting scientific standards for reliability and validity.
About the Kit
The authors are well renown academics, Roberta E. Rikli, PhD, and C. Jessie Jones, PhD.. The test kit is published by Human Kinetics Publishers. The kit includes a manual, software and a video, each available separately.
The Manual provides details about the theoretical basis for the tests. It also includes all information required to administer and score the test, and provideg feedback to test participants about their results. An appendix has reproducible sample forms, charts, tables, and posters for instructors to use in their programs, including normative data based on actual performance scores of over 7,000 men and women between the ages of 60 and 94.
The optional companion software aids the user in tracking the test scores, comparing the scores to national norms, and printing useful reports on participants’ functional fitness levels. There are also calculators and several options for reports. The video that is also available shows the instructors how to administer the test battery properly to both individuals and groups.
Related Pages
- Buy the Senior Fitness Test Manual
- Fitness Testing for Specific Groups and Special Populations
- Fitness Testing for Obese and Overweight subjects
