Fitness Assessments
A fitness assessment is a series of measurements that help determine physical fitness. There are several standard tests in a fitness assessment. Depending upon the assessor, other tests may be added to achieve a greater picture of fitness or lack thereof.
The main tests in a fitness assessment evaluate body mass index, resting heart rate and blood pressure, and aerobic fitness. Additional tests may evaluate body composition, lung capacity, flexibility and strength.
Body mass index (BMI) is one of the least demanding fitness assessment tests. It evaluates a person in terms of their height and weight to determine total body mass. It can show if a person’s body mass measurement exceeds normal limits and thus indicates that weight loss would be a good idea.
BMI alone is usually not thought to be the best measure of physical fitness.
A typical fitness assessment will also evaluate heart rate and blood pressure. Measuring resting heart rate is important because it allows one to figure at what the safe levels of increasing the heart rate are during aerobic exercise. The basic formula for measuring safe maximum heart rate is 220 minus age, minus resting heart rate. This figure is multiplied by 0.9 and the resting heart rate is added back to get the maximum heart rate at which one can safely exercise. In a 40-year-old person with a resting heart rate of 60 the equation looks like the following: (220-40-60).9 + 60.
However, determining appropriate maximum heart rate in a fitness assessment should also take into account blood pressure. A person with high blood pressure should be evaluated by a physician prior to proceeding with an exercise program. Then our qualified staff will be able to evauluate the risks.
Assessments take 1 hour and cost €45.
Please ring reception on 021-397868 to book an appointment.
