Fitness Testing

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Lung Function Testing

• procedure: The usual measures of lung function are of forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expired volume in 1 second (FEV₁). These can be measured with a full maximal expiration. Explain to the subject that they must fill their lungs completely, seal their lips around the mouthpiece, and empty their lungs as hard and fast as possible. The best of two trials is usually recorded.
• equipment required: Spirometer (e.g. Vitalograph)

• interpretation: Lung function tests are of little value for predicting fitness and exercise performance, provided that the values fall within a normal range. You must always take into consideration that lung volumes vary with age, sex and body size (especially height).
• disadvantages: this test requires expensive equipment that is not always available. A simple inexpensive measure of lung function is the peak flow test.

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