Practical Skills 1 – Activity 2: Fitness Testing Guide
A guide to conducting fitness assessments to assist with Practical Skills 1 – Activity 2
This guide supports students completing Practical Skills 1 – Activity 2, focusing on how to conduct safe, effective fitness assessments. It outlines the preparation and delivery of key fitness tests, including resting heart rate, aerobic fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility.
Students are reminded to explain and demonstrate each test clearly, monitor client safety, and record accurate results using the Health and Fitness Assessment Handbook.
Recommended test options include the Queens College Step Test and the 7-Stage Abdominal Test, with links provided for reference videos and additional resources.
Fitness Tests
Please use the tests found in the Health and Fitness Handbook. This is located in Resources under General Resources in your Learner App
Before conducting each test:
- Explain the purpose of the test,
- Demonstrate the test to the client
Throughout all tests make sure to
- Monitor the client’s safety throughout, watching for any adverse reactions or signs of poor exercise tolerance, and respond accordingly.
Resting Heart Rate
- Measure and record the client’s resting heart rate before commencing further assessments. This provides a baseline indicator of aerobic fitness and recovery status.
Aerobic Fitness Test
- Select a recognised aerobic fitness test (refer to the Health and Fitness Handbook for approved options).
- The 20m Shuttle Run (Beep Test) or the Queens College Step Test are excellent choices, as they require minimal equipment.
- You will need to download a beep test app for the 20m Shuttle run or metronome app for the Step Test
Muscular Strength Test
- The protocol for the 1RM (One Repetition Maximum) test or Modified 1 Rep Max (1RM) Strength Tests can be found in the Health and Fitness Assessment Handbook. These are best suited to a gym environment with access to adequate weight plates and proper supervision.
- Alternatively, the 7-Stage Abdominal Strength Test can be performed at home with minimal equipment, making it a suitable option in many cases. Please watch 7 stage abdominal test
Muscular Endurance Test
- Choose one of the four recognised muscular endurance assessments from the Health and Fitness Assessment Handbook
- Ensure the selected test is appropriate for the client’s abilities, environment, and goals.
Flexibility Test
- Select a flexibility assessment (refer to the Health and Fitness Handbook for approved options) and demonstrate how to measure correctly with the client.
- Accurate recording ensures results can be tracked and compared consistently in future sessions.
Please note this is an accompanying guide. It is important to follow the Activity 2 Observation Checklist to make sure all required criteria are met.