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ARTICLES > 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 |
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Fitness Assessment: Mapping Client Success
Stephen A. Black, M.Ed, PT, ATC, NSCA-CPT
© 2004 RockyMountain Human Performance Center, Inc.
Yogi Berra once said, “If you don’t know where you are going, you will end up somewhere else.” No truer words were spoken relative to assessment prior to initiation of a personal fitness program. An objective evaluation of a client’s current fitness status is important prior to beginning an exercise program. The evaluation provides valuable information concerning fitness strengths and weaknesses, and enables the trainer to set reasonable/safe goals for clients and members.
Testing clients’ initial fitness levels (including metabolism) provides a benchmark against which comparisons can be made in future evaluations. Periodic retesting (every three to six months) provides motivating (objective) feedback as the fitness program progresses. At the bare minimum, assessment will allow the differentiation between clients who are appropriate for general fitness programs, and those who may require specialized programs or group activities.
Like any combustion engine, the body uses oxygen and fuel to generate energy. The cardiovascular system delivers oxygen to the skeletal muscles, which then uses the oxygen to “burn” (metabolize) various fuels (carbohydrate and fat) to yield mechanical energy. A unique feature of the body is its ability to change in response to the demands placed on it. By working out hard, the aerobic system is overloaded. During rest, the body adapts to become stronger. This is accomplished by improvements in cardiovascular, metabolic and muscular function. The heart becomes stronger and more efficient and the skeletal muscles become better at extracting oxygen from the bloodstream and excreting waste back into the bloodstream. Within muscle cells, the mitochondria boost their enzyme systems to oxidize fuels.
All of these changes occur slowly over time. For continued improvement, the system must be continually overloaded. As one adapts, however, the workouts are more difficult. How is the right training level determined? Physiologists have discovered that the rate of oxygen “burned” in the muscles is the best measure of aerobic work. To determine this used to require expensive equipment and specialized testing facilities. Basically, an individual runs/walks/rides on the cardio piece of choice while the volume of inhaled and exhaled air is measured. The difference between the amounts of oxygen and CO2 breathed in and out during the test is what the muscles have utilized to burn fuel. Also the ratio of these substrates will tell you what the muscles have burned for fuel (carbohydrate and/or fat). A critical measure if your goal is weight loss or endurance performance. The key factors in this measurement (respiratory quotient or RQ) are that both the oxygen in and the CO2 out are critical to the process. Equipment that does not measure both (02 in and C02 out) is inaccurate and the resulting exercise prescription invalid and insignificant. The rate of oxygen consumption, in liters per minute/kg body weight, is called V02. The test is done at progressively harder levels until the individual “maxes” out. The maximum rate of oxygen consumption is called the V02max or V02peak. V02peak may not be practical in the health club environment. With advances in software a sub-max test can be delivered and the software will extrapolate the V02peak with extraordinary accuracy. Also, on the way to a sub-max or V02peak the client/member will pass through anaerobic threshold which is another marker of cardiovascular fitness and one that can be utilized to establish appropriate training zones(thus using a heart rate monitor for training/exercise) for best and safe programming.
The anaerobic threshold or AT represents how efficiently the muscles use oxygen to produce energy or work Improving the anaerobic threshold is key to developing aerobic fitness. Generally speaking an individual’s AT may be between 52 and 95% of maximum heart rate. The more aerobically fit the higher the AT.
Physiologically, in addition to burning fat in the aerobic zone, the body makes other even more important adaptations. Blood supply is increased through the new growth of blood vessels. This provides more nutrients to the working muscles and helps take metabolic wastes from the muscles. The body also increases the level of hemoglobin and total blood volume. Oxygen in the blood is predominantly carried by hemoglobin, so with more hemoglobin the working muscles will get the oxygen they need more efficiently. With the increase in blood volume the cardiac muscle becomes larger, increasing the amount of blood pumped per heartbeat. This means a lower heart rate at rest and more efficient recovery. Imagine saving heartbeats!
The knowledge used in assessments comes from experience, education, training and review of current technology available to conduct and score individual assessment components. It may also be necessary to consult established exercise guidelines from professional groups, such as the American College of Sports Medicine, National Strength and Conditioning Association and the American Council on Exercise. These and other credible professional organizations provide assessment recommendations and scoring data necessary for objective assessment protocols and methods.
Progress is tracked, demonstrated and quantified thus increasing member satisfaction, retention and customer service. Utilizing a comprehensive assessment system will also enhance the bottom line of the facility. The increased revenue will improve the facility credibility and profitability. This is a winning combination for the client, the trainer and the facility. How often can we brag about that?
“As a rule, he or she who has the most information will have the greatest success in life,” stated Disraeli. These are wonderful words for the fitness industry to live by. Knowledge of client’s past will enlighten the exercises professional to their client’s present needs, and light the path towards success in the pursuit of lifestyle evolution and fulfillment. |
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