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Kent Probst, BS, MEd
Kent Probst is the owner of Long Healthy Life Blog
Why the Senior Fitness Test is Important
It’s important for seniors to avoid the functional decline that comes with aging. That’s why the senior fitness test is needed to measure functional fitness.
Seniors need functional fitness to remain functionally independent late into life.
The components of the senior fitness test can detect functional decline before it becomes a serious problem.
The fitness test assesses aerobic fitness, agility, dynamic balance, and flexibility.
A personal trainer, therapist, or other trained health care professional can administer the tests.
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends seven components of the test.
Senior Fitness Test: The Components
30-Second Chair Stand Test of Leg Strength
30-Second Arm Curl Test of Upper Body Strength
Timed Up and Go Test of Agility
6 Minute Walk Test of Aerobic Fitness
2 Minute Step Test of Aerobic Endurance
Chair Sit and Reach Test of Flexibility
Back Scratch Test of Shoulder Range of Motion
Determining a Plan of Action
This battery of tests will identify your strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to craft an appropriate fitness routine.
The senior fitness test may also allow the fitness professional to identify participants who need a referral for a physician for diagnosis and treatment of a medical condition.
Your personal trainer, exercise physiologist, or therapist can tell you how you did on each test.
You can check the normal range of scores for seniors here at the Journal on Active Aging.
Designing a fitness routine based on the results of the tests should allow seniors to improve or maintain their functional activities such as stair climbing, walking, self care, as well as recreational activities.
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