ISSA Unit 13 - Basic assessment of fitness participants

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1: What is the significance of assessments for your clients?

An assessment allows you to measure client goals and how to achieve them by analyzing needs/desires, special considerations (medical history), and current ability

2: Name the 2 GTX tests?

`symptom-limited maximal GXT and the other as a submaximal GXT

3: What information does a GTX test provide?

This recognizes the client’s oxygen uptake limit for a precise rather than estimated exercise plan.

4: Who should have a stress test?

Individuals under age 40 who undergo a normal physical examination, who show no symptoms of cardiovascular disease, no coronary risk factors, and no physical findings

5: In what way are pulse and blood pressure related?

Pulse is the rate at which blood is pumped by the heart; blood pressure is the force at which it is pumped. pulse can influence blood pressure; the higher the rate, the greater the overall pressure

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6: What are the 8 steps to taking blood pressure

  • Seat client with upper arm bared
  • Wrap the cuff firmly around the upper arm
  • Find the brachial artery on the upper arm
  • The arm should be relaxed at an angle of no more than 45 degrees
  • Ensure the air-release switch is closed
  • Quickly inflate the cuff up to 180-200 mm Hg.
  • Steadily release the cuff pressure
  • Release pressure, keeping note of the diminishing sound

7: How do systolic and diastolic differ?

Systolic pressure is the maximum blood pressure at the moment the heart pumping blood. Diastolic is the resting pressure between heartbeats

8: What are the blood pressure norms?

  • Optimal: Systolic <120, Diastolic < 80
  • Normal: <130, <85
  • High normal: 130-139, 85-89
  • Hypertension, stage 1: 140 – 159, 85 – 89
  • Hypertension, stage 2: 160-179; 100-109
  • Hypertension, stage 3: 180 or higher; 110 or higher

9: Give a recommendation for exercise intensity for your clients?

Find THR for a 35-year-old at 70% exercise intensity. Show your calculations.

55%-85% of the client’s VO2 max.
220 – 35

10: Apply the Karvonen formula to calculate the target heart rates for:

(a) a 40-year-old woman whose resting heart rate is 75 beats/minute and exercise intensity is 70% = 126
(b) a 51-year-old man whose resting heart rate is 80 beats/minute and exercise intensity is 60% = 121

11: What 3 ways of applying the RPE for exercise intensity monitoring are beneficial?

Cross-checks THR, typically when estimations of maximal HR are based on age.
You are not required to stop exercising to check it.
lt requires no special equipment to define intensity accurately.

12: Describe one of t two limiting factors of the MET method for intensity

First, various environmental factors, such as heat, humidity, cold, wind, altitude, pollution, differences in terrain, etc., can change how your cardiovascular system responds.

13: List four tests to assess cardiovascular endurance

12 min run/walk
12 min swim
12 min cycle
Step test

14: What is the process of conducting a step test?

  1. Set the metronome to 96 bpm.
  2. The stepping cadence (96 bpm) is 24 steps/min. The rhythm of the steps will be a 4 count: up, up, down, down. Step up with the right foot, then left, then the right foot down, then the left foot down.
  3. Demonstrate the pattern to your client.
  4. Allow 15 seconds of practice with the metronome.
  5. Begin the test, time for 3 minutes.
  6. After 3 minutes, terminate the test and have the client sit down.
  7. Five seconds after the 3-minute mark, take the client’s pulse for 1 min.
  8. Record this 1-minute post-exercise rate.
  9. Compare to the standards below.

15: A male individual claims the following: 225 pounds for 10 reps on the bench. Only manages 6 reps. Based on this, what is his 1RM?

265 lbs

16: Describe two tests for flexibility

Zipper Stretch: determines shoulder flexibility. One hand over the shoulder, other hand reaches from back
Sit and Reach: The client leans forward slowly as far as possible and holds the greatest stretch for two seconds.

17: What are 2 tests for muscular endurance

  1. Bench Press Max Power.
  2. Bench Press Cadence Test.

If you want assistance wrapping your head around this material, make sure to check out Trainer Academy for some awesome ISSA study materials. They have Practice tests, flashcards, audio study guides, and much more.

ISSA Unit 13 - Basic assessment of fitness participants 4
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Tyler Read - Certified Personal Trainer with PTPioneer

Tyler Read


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