Senior Fitness Test

New test to assess functional fitness

• The SFT measures the underlying physical parameters associated with functional ability, and identifies whether an older adult may be at risk for loss of functional ability. The SFT meets scientific standards for validity and reliability (Rikli and Jones, 1999a). It is also quick and easy to administer and score, requires minimal equipment, and is safe to use with a wide range of physical abilities.

• The test is based on a functional fitness framework (see Figure 1), which points out that being able to perform everyday activities (e.g. personal care, shopping, housework) requires the ability to perform functional movements, such as walking, stair climbing and standing upi and that these functional movements, in turn, are dependent on having sufficient physiologic reserve (i.e. strength, endurance, flexibility, balance). One unique feature of the Senior Fitness Test is that it measures physiologic parameters using functional movement tasks, such as standing, bending, lifting, reaching and walking.

PHYSICAL PARAMETERS

• Muscle strength/endurance
• Aerobic endurance
• Flexibility
• Motor ability

1. power
2. speed/agility
3. balance

 Physical impairment

• FUNCTIONS
• Walking
• Stair climbing
• Standing up from chair
• Lifting/reaching

• Bending/kneeling
• Jogging/Running

Functional limitation

ACTIVITY GOALS 

• Personal care
• Shopping/errands
• Housework
• Gardening
• Sports
• Tiaveling

        Reduced ability/ Disability

• A comprehensive functional fitness test provides specific information regarding a clients physical strength and weaknesses associated with functional tasks and activity goals important to everyday living. This information is necessary to design individualized, targeted exercise or physical activity programs for clients. Also, baseline measures repeated at multiple intervals during the program provide critical data to track the progress of clients, to make prograrn adjustments, to provide personalized feedback and to evaluate program effectiveness