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Mat Did 182478
Mat Did 182478
Measuring functional
Many senior fitness instructors have been Physical Functional Reduced ability/
especially frustrated with the lack of tests impairment limitation Disability
available to assess the functional fitness of
older adults, particularly tests that have
accompanying performance standards.
Importance of functional result in falls and physical frailty
Recognizing the need for a tool to fitness in older adults (Alliance for Aging Research, 1999).
evaluate the functional fitness Functional fitness performance is having
performance of older adults, researchers the physiologic capacity to perform normal One goal of fitness practitioners should
at California State University, Fullerton, everyday activities safely and independently be to help with the early identification of
recently developed and validated a new without undue fatigue (Rikli and Jones, at-risk participants, and either to provide
fitness test battery especially for older 1999a). Reasons why it is important to a targeted intervention program or to
adults: the Senior Fitness Test (Rikli and assess the functional fitness of older make appropriate medical referrals for a
Jones, 2001). adults include the following: complete diagnosis, treatment and
maintenance plan.
The test is based on a functional fitness Identification of at-risk participants.
framework (see Figure 1), which points Many independent older adults, often Program planning and evaluation. To
out that being able to perform everyday due to their sedentary lifestyles, function plan safe and effective exercise or physical
activities (e.g. personal care, shopping, dangerously close to their maximum activity programs for older adults, it is
housework) requires the ability to ability level during normal activities. important to know as much as possible
perform functional movements, such as Climbing stairs or getting out of a chair about the client’s health and fitness
walking, stair climbing and standing up; requires near maximum effort for many status, current physical activity level,
and that these functional movements, in older individuals (Evans, 1995). activities likes and dislikes, and personal
turn, are dependent on having sufficient Unfortunately, more than one-third of goals.
physiologic reserve (i.e. strength, community-dwelling older adults are at
endurance, flexibility, balance). One risk for mobility problems and falls A comprehensive functional fitness test
unique feature of the Senior Fitness Test (Rose, 2002). Early identification of provides specific information regarding a
is that it measures physiologic parameters physical decline and appropriate client’s physical strength and weaknesses
using functional movement tasks, such as interventions could help to prevent associated with functional tasks and
standing, bending, lifting, reaching and functional impairments, such as in activity goals important to everyday
walking. walking and stair climbing, that often Continued on page 26
living. This information is necessary to have related how motivated they are by measures what it is intended to measure;
design individualized, targeted exercise or taking the Senior Fitness Test and reliability refers to the dependability of
physical activity programs for clients. finding out how they compare to others test scores. A reliable test produces
Also, baseline measures repeated at of the same age and gender. The testing similar scores from one trial to another,
multiple intervals during the program itself causes many people to pay more or one day to the next, when an
provide critical data to track the progress attention to their fitness and physical individual (or group of individuals)
of clients, to make program adjustments, activity level. administers it.
to provide personalized feedback and to
evaluate program effectiveness. Selecting assessment tools Scoring accuracy is an important test
An instructor should consider several characteristic, especially if more than one
Assessment skills are especially important factors before selecting assessment tools person is going to administer the same
for fitness instructors in this era of to measure the functional fitness of older test item (Rikli and Jones, 1997).
accountability. Many facility directors adults: Literature may report a test to have good
now require fitness instructors to evaluate intrarater reliability (same evaluator) or
progress and document program and 1. interrater reliability (different evaluators),
client outcomes (Russek, Wooden, What is the purpose of the assessment tool? but it is still necessary for anyone who
Ekedahl, & Bush, 1997). These tools measure a variety of administers a test to be appropriately
physiologic parameters and functional trained on the test protocol and
Goal setting and motivation of activities. Instructors should select recording procedures and, if possible,
participants. Most people recognize that assessment tools based on what they evaluated for test reliability.
remaining physically active is essential for hope to see change in their clients.
optimal health and physical ability, yet Ideally, it is recommended that Instructors should never assume that tests
less than 25% of older adults get enough instructors measure more than just the developed and validated for younger age
exercise to derive such benefits (National physical parameters of the body, such as groups will be appropriate for older
Blueprint, 2001). According to experts in upper body strength, power, flexibility, adults. They should check that the test
the field of behavior change, setting goals aerobic endurance, dynamic balance and items being considered have supporting
powerfully motivates people to improve body composition. Assessment tools that data documenting its reliability and
their fitness levels (Blair, Dunn, Marcus, also measure functional performance, validity based on studies involving older
Carpenter, & Jaret, 2001; Dishman, such as walking distance or time and adults.
1998). Assessing the functional fitness stair climbing ability, are meaningful to
levels of participants is a precursor to older adults. 4.
helping them set worthwhile short- and Is the assessment tool feasible to use?
long-term personal goals. 2. Feasibility refers to the suitability of
What is the functional mobility level of the administering the test items in a given
To facilitate goal setting, it is especially participants? Some assessment tools are setting. Instructors should consider the
helpful to relate the purpose and results specifically designed for use with either following additional questions to
of assessments to the types of daily tasks the frail or the healthy older adult. Few determine feasibility:
and activities clients hope to continue to are able to assess the wide range of ability
do or want to do better. For example, levels that most senior fitness instructors • What type of equipment is needed?
upper body strength is important for encounter. It would be ideal for • What is the cost of the equipment?
performing household and other instructors to select test items they can • How long does each test item take to
activities that involve lifting and carrying use with a wide range of functional administer?
things, such as groceries, suitcases and abilities—from the borderline frail to the • How much space is needed?
grandchildren. A short-term goal may be highly fit. This type of test is especially • How difficult are the test items to
to improve upper body strength by 20%, useful for tracking a person over time. administer and score?
while a long-term goal may be to be able • Can paraprofessionals administer the
to do yard work or pick up a grandchild. 3. tests?
Is the assessment tool reliable and valid for • Are the test items safe to give?
The periodic assessment and monitoring use with the older adult population? This is • Is a physician’s release necessary for the
of performance motivates older adults. It one of the most important factors to participant to take the tests?
also encourages their progress and consider when selecting an assessment • Does a physician need to be present?
exercise compliance. Many older adults tool. Validity refers to whether a test item
Description
Number of full stands that can be
completed in 30 seconds with arms Purpose
folded across chest. To assess aerobic endurance, which is Purpose
important for walking distances, stair To assess lower body flexibility, which is
Risk zone climbing, shopping, sightseeing while on important for good posture, for normal
Less than 8 unassisted stands for men vacation, etc. gait patterns and for various mobility
and women. tasks, such as getting in and out of a
Description bathtub or car.
Arm Curl Number of yards/meters that can be
walked in 6 minutes around a 50-yard Description
(45.7 meter) course. (5 yds = 4.57 From a sitting position at front of chair,
meters) with leg extended and hands reaching
toward toes, the number of inches (cm)
Risk zone (+ or -) between extended fingers and tip
Less than 350 yards for men and women. of toe.
Purpose
Alternate aerobic endurance test, for use
when space limitations or weather
prohibits taking the 6-minute walk test.
The Senior Fitness Test items: a brief overview Continued from page 29
Back Scratch back, the number of inches (cm) between maneuvering, such as getting off a bus in
extended middle fingers (+ or -). time or getting up to attend to
something in the kitchen, to go to the
Risk zone bathroom or to answer the phone.
Men: Minus (-) 4 inches or more
Women: Minus (-) 2 inches or more Description
Number of seconds required to get up
8-Foot Up-and-Go from a seated position, walk 8 feet (2.44
m), turn, and return to seated position.
Risk zone
More than 9 seconds.
Purpose
To assess upper body (shoulder) SFT Brief Summary
flexibility, which is important in tasks ©1999 R.E. Rikli and C.J. Jones
such as combing one’s hair, putting on
overhead garments and reaching for a The Senior Fitness Test Manual and
seat belt accompanying training video and
software can be purchased through
Description Purpose Human Kinetics: 1-800-747-4457
With one hand reaching over the To assess agility/dynamic balance, which (U.S.), 1-800-465-7301 (Canada), or
shoulder and one up the middle of the is important in tasks that require quick www.humankinetics.com