Fitness Assessments
a.k.a. Physical Activity: Fitness Assessments
Overview: A fitness assessment will include a series of general fitness tests. These tests include measurement of resting heart rate, resting blood pressure, height, weight, and skin fold measurements to estimate percent body fat (upon request). None of these tests involves any physical stress or discomfort.
You will also participate in exercise tests to determine your upper body strength (push-up test), abdominal strength (sit-up or curl-up test), lower back and leg flexibility (sit and reach test), and cardiorespiratory function (YMCA submaximal bicycle test). You may feel the normal distress that accompanies physical exertion.
To be best prepared for your fitness assessment, please following these guidelines: wear appropriate attire for exercise (shorts and t-shirt if possible), bring a water bottle if desired, abstain from smoking or caffeine 3 hours prior to testing, abstain from exercising the day of testing, and allow 45+ minutes for the appointment.
What Thielen Student Health Center Can Do For You: Fitness testing through TSHC’s Wellness Center is conducted in State Gym, and is by appointment. To make an appointment, please call 515.294-5801. From Union Drive, enter the set of doors on the right of the building and go up 1 flight of stairs. Enter 1st door off to right—Room #1222. You may decide to participate in fitness testing for a variety of reasons, including: curiosity of your current fitness level, desire to improve your current health status, plan to begin exercising, and many more.
(Individuals identified as being at higher risk of abnormal responses to exercise may, at the discretion of the evaluator and/or the participant, be referred to a physician for medical clearance before the tests are administered. You may stop participation in any test at any time because of personal feelings or discomfort. Although the test administrators observe you for signs of unusual fatigue or discomfort, these observations do not always indicate abnormal discomfort. You are free to ask questions about the procedures, etc., if you desire further explanation. Participation in testing is voluntary.)
Resources
Last update: 26 Feb 2008
For more information, please contact:
Iowa State University
Thielen Student Health Center
515-294-5801
