As a health and wellness practitioner I always use a holistic approach when assessing a client. This means that all aspects of a client’s lifestyle are assessed including nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sleep patterns, emotions, and their readiness for change. A holistic approach understands that all of these components are equally important, without all the body cannot function to its optimal potential. These core components are assessed regardless of your age, gender, or current health. The difference is how they are assessed and the recommendations that are made. Many assessment tools are available to help assess each of these components. Every individual is unique and has different needs and abilities, doing a complete holistic assessment will allow for an individualized plan that is specific to the clients needs.
Fitness Assessment Tools:
Prior to beginning any physical fitness program all clients regardless of age, gender or health should be screened to determine if they are healthy enough to participate in an exercise program. The Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire or PAR-Q is a tool used by many fitness professionals. This questionnaire is a simple concise screening tool to determine that a client is physically healthy to begin a light to moderate exercise program. Once it is determined that an individual is healthy enough for exercise, a complete Health Status Evaluation should also be completed. (Howley & Franks, 2007)
I have provided examples of both assessment tools. In addition the following is a case study with an example of a complete physical activity assessment for a 13 year old male. Within this case study the President's Challenge Fitness Test was administered. This test although can be used for any age or fitness level is especially appropriate for school age children because they are most likely familiar with it because many school systems use the same assessment. For additional information on the President's Challenge Fitness Test visit The Presidents Challenge at https://www.presidentschallenge.org/about/index.shtml.
Reference:
Howley, E. & Franks, B. (2007) Fitness Professional's Handbook. 5th Edition. Champaign, IL. Human Kinetics
Prior to beginning any physical fitness program all clients regardless of age, gender or health should be screened to determine if they are healthy enough to participate in an exercise program. The Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire or PAR-Q is a tool used by many fitness professionals. This questionnaire is a simple concise screening tool to determine that a client is physically healthy to begin a light to moderate exercise program. Once it is determined that an individual is healthy enough for exercise, a complete Health Status Evaluation should also be completed. (Howley & Franks, 2007)
I have provided examples of both assessment tools. In addition the following is a case study with an example of a complete physical activity assessment for a 13 year old male. Within this case study the President's Challenge Fitness Test was administered. This test although can be used for any age or fitness level is especially appropriate for school age children because they are most likely familiar with it because many school systems use the same assessment. For additional information on the President's Challenge Fitness Test visit The Presidents Challenge at https://www.presidentschallenge.org/about/index.shtml.
Reference:
Howley, E. & Franks, B. (2007) Fitness Professional's Handbook. 5th Edition. Champaign, IL. Human Kinetics