Introduction
Functional fitness is the capacity to perform normal everyday activities safely, independently and without undue fatigue.
Aging is associated with a loss of muscle mass and strength, and an increased risk of falls, disability, and functional impairment that can eventually lead to a loss of independence. Much of this loss of function can be prevented or delayed through functional fitness testing with the early detection of physical frailty or limitations.
Functional fitness or capacity testing is usually task-based and measures the physical abilities of a client through the performance of everyday activities.
The goal of these evaluations is to develop a treatment approach or program that targets and addresses these functional restrictions or limitations in order to improve health and quality of life.
Functional capacity evaluations often involve an objective assessment of the condition and the client’s subjective experience (experience, attitudes, beliefs and fears about their abilities).
Functional Fitness Testing
we will be focusing on some of the objective assessments that exercise professionals, like myself as a Registered Kinesiologist, may use as part of a thorough health, fitness, and lifestyle assessment before initiating a customized exercise program.
We will be focusing on the Seniors’ Fitness Test Battery from the American College of Sports Medicine and will go over when each of these tests are generally used, for what purpose and how they are administered.
Each video will take you through one test and will end off with some exercise recommendations for improving performance in the specific domain of fitness covered.
If you or someone that you know would be interested in functional fitness testing please feel free to contact us for more information and to get you set up with an assessment with me.
As always, be sure to check with your healthcare provider that you are cleared to exercise. Thank you for joining us and let’s get started.
Amanda Morch
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Amanda introduces functional fitness testing, what it is, and why it's important to identify potential physical restrictions and/or limitations in order to improve your health and quality of life.
In this section, Amanda explores the Seniors Fitness Test from the American College of Sports Medicine, which populations should participate, the parameters of the test battery and why you should participate.
Discover the 30 second arm curl test, its purpose, a demonstration and exercise recommendations to improve performance.
Amanda discusses the 30 second chair stand test, its purpose, a demonstration of the test and exercise recommendations to improve performance.
Discover the 8 foot up and go test, its importance, a demonstration of the test and exercise recommendations to improve performance.
Amanda introduces the 2 minute step test, the purpose and demonstration of the test, and exercise recommendations to improve performance.
Discover the 6 minute walk test, its purpose, a demonstration and exercise recommendations to improve performance.
Amanda discusses the back scratch test, its purpose, a demonstration of the test and exercise recommendations to improve performance.
Explore the sit and reach test, what it is, the purpose, a demonstration and exercise recommendations to improve performance.
Have questions or comments about anything you learned in the FFT workshop? Leave us a comment below, or reach out to us directly to speak to one of our experienced personal trainers.