Medical-Fitness Technician
Certification Course
Part C: Assessing Medical-Fitness (LM:25-34)
Certification Course
Part C: Assessing Medical-Fitness (LM:25-34)
Learning Module 34:
The Total Fitness Score
The Total Fitness Score
Study the Learning Module and take the Quiz.
Learning Objectives
- Know how to calculate an individual's Total Fitness Score.
- Know how to interpret Total Fitness Scores in context.
Calculations
In the previous 5 Learning Modules, you learned how to conduct a set of fitness tests that include the 4 main areas of functional capacity related to health and quality of life.
The raw scores from each of these tests are converted to a percentile score using a standardized threshold corresponding to a healthy level of functional capacity. These percentile scores are then adjusted by grading their exercise movements based on consistency and symmetry which then generates the final score for each of the 4 fitness areas.
- Aerobic Fitness - 4-minute Shuttle or Treadmill Test
- Leg Muscle Fitness - 3-minute Squat Test
- Core Muscle Fitness- 2-minute Leg-Raise Test
- Arm Muscle Fitness - 1-minute Push-Up Test + 1-minute Inverted Row Test
The raw scores from each of these tests are converted to a percentile score using a standardized threshold corresponding to a healthy level of functional capacity. These percentile scores are then adjusted by grading their exercise movements based on consistency and symmetry which then generates the final score for each of the 4 fitness areas.
Having a standardized Final Fitness Score for each of the 4 main areas of functional capacity allows us to combine these 4 separate scores into a Total Fitness Score by simply adding them together, and then dividing that sum by 4, to get the average of the 4 scores.
As an example, let's say you conducted a Medical-Fitness Assessment for your client. Your calculations of the fitness test results produces the following values:
- Aerobic Fitness (Shuttle*) Test: 725 meters / 800 threshold = 90.6 % x grade (N/A) = 90.6 Final Aerobic Fitness Score
- Leg Muscle Fitness Test: 114 squats / 120 threshold = 95.0 % x grade 0.90 (B) = 85.5 Final Leg Muscle Fitness Score
- Core Muscle Fitness Test: 64 leg-raises / 60 threshold = 106.7 % x grade 1.00 (A) = 106.7 Final Core Muscle Fitness Score
- Arm Extensor Fitness Test: 23 push-ups / 30 threshold = 76.7 % x grade 0.75 (C) = 57.5 Arm Extensor Fitness Score
- Arm Flexor Fitness Test: 28 inverted rows / 40 threshold = 70.0 % x grade 0.90 (B) = 63.0 Final Arm Flexor Fitness Score
- Arm Muscle Fitness Tests: Extensor Score 57.5 + Flexor Score 63.0 = 120.5 / 2 = 60.3 Final Arm Muscle Fitness Score
- TOTAL FITNESS SCORE: 90.6 + 85.5 + 106.7 + 60.3 = 343.1 / 4 = 85.8
The participant's Total Fitness Score is simply the average of his/her 4 separate Final Fitness Scores.
Interpretation
The Total Fitness Score is interpreted on the same scale as the 4 separate Final Fitness Scores are interpreted. The scale below shows that this example Medical-Fitness Assessment resulted in a Total Fitness Score in the "High Fitness Level" (80-99). But remember, this scale is in relation to the "average" person, which is sadly unhealthy and unfit due to a lifestyle that leads to premature disease, disability, despair, and death.
A single, standardized Total Fitness Score for each individual is helpful because it makes their journey to optimal health easier to visualize, track, and even compare with their peers -- for motivational purposes.
A minimum goal of 100 for the Total Fitness Score and for EACH of the 4 separate Final Fitness Scores (for proper balance) is appropriate and very doable for most otherwise healthy individuals. However, it is important to consider the individual's context when interpreting the fitness scores for personal application.
Personal Context
Looking at our example's Total Fitness Score we can see that there may be some room for improvement. A closer look reveals that their Final Arm Muscle Fitness Score is much lower than their other 3 Final Fitness Scores. But, is the answer to that apparent "problem area" to simply prescribe twice as many push-ups as the other exercises for a while until their Arm Muscle Fitness catches up to the others?
To answer this question, you will need to consider the individual's Personal Context, including:
- Previous Medical-Fitness Scores (if any)
- Recent Injury
- Longer-term Impairment or Disability
- Fatigue (at the end of the tests)
- Poor Push-Up and/or Inverted Row Technique
- Age
- Gender
- Weight (Distribution and Composition)
- Exercise Pattern & Routine
- Health & Fitness Goals
While keeping these types of variables in mind (depending on your client's scores), you will usually discover the reason for their particular scores by simply having a casual, but inquisitive, conversation with them. Your objective is to determine how your client understands his/her own scores and what he/she wants to do about them.
Coming up with a sophisticated training program to "solve the problem" is not needed and is seldom appreciated. The question you want your client to answer for themselves is what is he/she WANTING and WILLING to do next? A simple, short-term recommendation is usually the best in order to keep the person engaged and motivated in their therapeutic lifestyle (exercise/fitness) change program.
Inviting your client to attend one of your open training sessions (which is explained in the next section) to develop a short personal training program, or to modify their current one, with a follow-up Medical-Fitness Assessment in 2-3 months may be the best recommendation for now. A single set of Body Composition & Fitness Test results is a great start, but they really do not mean very much without one or more follow-up assessments to show in which direction and to what degree things are changing.