Conducting a thorough pre-participation fitness/wellness assessment helps to ensure a safe and positive experience for participants. The assessment is an important tool for the onsite fitness professionals to assist with developing an individualized exercise training program. At the same time, it offers the employer peace of mind that comes with knowing that liability risks have been minimized by detecting potential life-threatening illness or other chronic diseases.
To maximize safety and program effectiveness, The Industrial Athlete utilizes healthy history forms and offers a thorough fitness/wellness assessment consisting of seven components of health related physical well-being, including:
- Resting Heart Rate
The number of heartbeats at rest per unit of time, usually expressed as beats per minute. A resting heart rate is used as a metric to determine level of fitness. An elevated resting heart rate may indicate an individual’s reduced aerobic capacity or, more importantly, an underlying health issue. The Industrial Athlete fitness professionals use this information to determine cardiovascular fitness programs including an individualized target heart rate.
- Blood Pressure Reading
Blood pressure is the amount of pressure exerted by the blood upon the walls of the blood vessels and especially arteries and that varies with the muscular efficiency of the heart, the blood volume and viscosity, the age and health of the individual, and the state of the vascular wall. Measuring blood pressure is used as a tool to identify hypertension that may lead to more serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke or kidney disease. The Industrial Athlete fitness professionals are available to consult with individuals regarding lifestyle changes that may help manage hypertension.
- Body Composition
Body composition is the relative portion of fat and fat-free tissue in the body. It is determined by utilizing skin fold or circumference measurements at different sites of the body. This information is primarily used as a tool to track information in order to achieve a goal or target weight.
- Cardiorespiratory Fitness
The ability of the circulatory, respiratory, and muscular systems to supply oxygen during sustained physical activity. The Industrial Athlete fitness professionals use the results in conjunction with target heart rate to determine individualized cardiovascular fitness programs.
- Muscular Strength
The amount of force a muscle can produce with a single maximal effort. Determined by various exercises using maximum repetitions for large muscle groups to fatigue. The Industrial Athlete fitness professionals use the results as a tool to safely and properly recommend intensities for strength training exercises.
- Muscular Endurance
The ability of a muscle group to exert tension over an extended period of time. Determined by various exercises using time to perform maximum repetitions. The Industrial Athlete fitness professionals can use the results as a tool to safely and properly recommend intensities for strength training exercises.
- Flexibility
The capacity of a joint or muscle to move through its full range of motion. There are many ways to measure flexibility but the most common test is the sit and reach. This assessment measures the hamstrings, hips and lower back flexibility. Results are used to help improve employee’s quality of life by recommending exercises to increase flexibility.
A thorough pre-participation fitness/wellness assessment is key to identifying potential issues or hurdles, and to identify and plan for an optimum individualized exercise training program.
Contact The Industrial Athlete to learn more.
