PLD Opportunity

Explaining Fitness Testing

Online

Date(s): 

Nov – Dec 2024

1 CEC

By Barbara A. Bushman, Ph.D., FACSM, ACSM-CEP, ACSM-EP, ACSM-CPT

Summary:

Fitness professionals are knowledgeable in the science of exercise. When working with clients, a focus should be on educating them on what fitness assessment results mean, including what aspect of fitness the assessment is measuring and how their results reflect status and impact future exercise recommendations. Rather than using the technical language of science, fitness professionals who translate results into simple, but complete, explanations will best serve their clients. Normative tables can be used to help track progress, with consideration of the client’s similarity to the comparison group and understanding of the equipment and methodology used. In cases where normative tables are not a match, tracking fitness assessment outcomes over time may be valuable to monitor progress.