B PT
Sports Physiotherapy
Fitness and
Exercise Testing
Important terms and definitions, testing protocols.
Fitness vs Health
Health Fitness
A state of complete
The ability to perform
physical, mental, and social
Definition physical activities
well-being, not merely the
efficiently and effectively
absence of disease
Cardiorespiratory
endurance
Muscular strength
Physical
Muscular endurance
Mental
Muscular power
Emotional
Components Flexibility
Social
Agility
Economic
Coordination
Environmental
Body composition
Speed
Reaction time
Components of fitness
Health-related Fitness
These parameters may be affected by and indicate the health status of an
individual, and may be reduced owing to underlying impairment or disease.
Strength: The maximal force a muscle or muscle group can generate in a
single effort.
Muscular Endurance: The ability of muscles to sustain physical activity
over a long period of time
Flexibility: The ability to move joints through their full range of motion in
a pain free manner
Body Composition: Ratio of fat mass to lean mass in the body.
Cardiovascular Endurance: Efficiency of heart, lungs, and blood vessels
to deliver oxygen during prolonged physical activity
Aerobic Capacity: Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) during
sustained exercise.
Anaerobic Capacity: Ability to perform high-intensity exercise without
oxygen
Testing Health-Related Fitness
1. Strength:
Handgrip Dynamometer: Squeeze device maximally for 3-5 trials per
hand; average score indicates grip strength
1RM Submaximal Test: Lift increasing weights until 6-10 reps max;
estimate 1-rep max using formulas (e.g., Brzycki equation).
Push-up Test: Count full push-ups in 1 minute; norms by age/gender.
Hand dynamometer Conventional Push-up Modified Push-Up
Health-related Fitness
2. Muscular Endurance Testing
YMC 1-Minute Sit-up Test: Standard count with feet held.
Plank test: hold plank position for as long as possible. Tests for core
muscle endurance
Squat Test: Assesses the muscular endurance of the lower body,
including the hips, quadriceps, and lower back. This can be done by
counting the number of repetitions performed in a set time.
YMC 1-minute sit up test Plank position Squat posture
3. Cardiovascular Endurance Testing
Harvard Step Test: Step up/down on 12-inch bench for 5 minutes (24
steps/min); measure recovery heart rate.
Rockport 1-Mile Walk Test: Walk 1 mile briskly; record time, heart rate,
age, weight for VO2 max formula
3-Minute Step Test: Step up/down for 3 minutes; check post-exercise
heart rate recovery
12 inch block for step-up step down test
Health-related Fitness
4. Body Composition Testing
Body Mass Index (BMI): Weight (kg) ÷ height² (m); classify per WHO
categories (quick screening only, not an accurate method of assessment).
Skinfold Calipers: Measure triceps, abdomen, thigh (3 sites); use Jackson-
Pollock equation for % body fat.
Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA): Use handheld scale; estimates
fat mass via electrical conductivity.
Skinfold Calipers Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis
5. Flexibility Testing
Sit-and-Reach Test: Sit with legs extended, reach forward on box;
measure distance beyond toes.
Shoulder Flexibility Test: One arm overhead, other behind back; measure
hand overlap.
Thomas Tesr: Supine, pull one knee to chest; measure opposite thigh
angle for hip flexors.
Sit-and-Reach Test Back scratch Test Thomas Test
Skill-related Fitness
Skill-related fitness, also called neuromotor or athletic fitness, refers to
abilities that enhance sports performance and motor skill execution, distinct
from health-related fitness components like cardiovascular endurance or
strength.
These motor skills determine proficiency in dynamic activities like sports
and athletics.
Athletes prioritize these for competition success; in physiotherapy, they
guide rehab for return-to-sport and injury prevention
Power: Ability to exert maximum force rapidly; combines strength and
speed.
Agility: Ability to change direction quickly and efficiently.
Coordination: Ability to use different body parts smoothly and
accurately.
Reaction Time: Time taken to respond to a stimulus.
Speed: Ability to move quickly from one point to another.
Balance: Ability to maintain body equilibrium while stationary or moving.
(Dynamic balance plays a larger role in most sports than stationary
balance; the outcome measures and tests differ from those used in
context of neurological issues)
All sports require each of these skills in different capacities or priorities.
Additionally, there may be more specific tests according to sport.
Some simple, standardized tests are mentioned briefly as followed:
Skill-related Fitness
1. Power
Calculated as work/time( OR force*velocity)
Vertical Jump Test: Jump vertically from standstill, touching highest
point on wall or measuring flight height; score = max reach height. Tests
lower body power.
Standing Broad Jump: Jump forward maximally from standing position;
score = distance jumped. Tests lower body power.
Medicine Ball Throw: Throw ball (2-4 kg) from chest overhead or
underhand; score = distance. Power calculated based on weight of ball.,
Tests upper body power.
Standing Broad Jump test
Vertical jump test
Medicine ball throw
2. Speed
Calculated as distance/time(m/s)
100-Meter Sprint: Run 100m as fast as possible; score= time(s)
40-Meter Sprint: Run 40m as fast as possible; score = time (s).
30-Meter Sprint: Straight-line sprint; score = elapsed time.
10x5m Shuttle Run: Sprint back-and-forth 5m (10 reps); score = total
time.
Skill-related Fitness
3. Reaction Time
Ruler Drop Test: Catch falling ruler; score = distance fallen (cm, lower =
faster)
Computerized Reaction Timer: Respond to visual/auditory stimulus;
score = ms response time.
Ruler Drop test Example of comperterized reaction time test
4. Agility
Illinois Agility Test: Run through cone course; score = time (s).
T-Test: Sprint forward 10m, shuffle side 5m, backpedal 10m; score = total
time
Illinois Agility Test T-Test
Skill-related Fitness
5. Coordination:
Alternate Hand Wall toss Test: Throw/ catch ball against wall
alternating hands (10s); score = successful catches
Plate Tapping Test: Tap plates alternately as fast as possible; score =
taps in 10s.
Alternate Hand Wall toss test Plate Tapping test
6. Balance
Star excursion Test: Reach in 8 directions from center; stand on one leg,
touch farthest point in each direction. Average reach distance
normalized to leg length; composite score predicts injury risk
Single-Leg Hop Tests: Hop forward over hurdles, triple hop sequence, or
crossover pattern; land balanced. Score is based on distance hopped or
number of correct attempts in specified duration.
Star excursion Test