ADVANCED TESTING AND PHYSIOLOGICAL EVALUATION

ADVANCED TESTING AND PHYSIOLOGICAL EVALUATION Pre Test Investigation Prior to administering a test, it is important to investigate certain factors that form foundational information about the participant. This data is vital as it provides important information as to the demographic detail, health of the participants, risk factors that could contraindicate the exercise testing process or conditions that could be aggravated by the testing. This information may be used in interpreting actual test results and in exercise prescription. It also ensures that consent has been sought as it is an ethical requirement. The following attributes should be investigated to form the historical data: Demographic details This includes the participant’s names, age, sex, contact address, occupation etc Medical history This includes medical diagnoses; let the participant record whether they have been diagnosed to have any chronic illness, or serious disease such as heart problems including circulatory conditions such as hypertension, pulmonary diseases, metabolic diseases such as diabetes, emotional disorders, eating disorders etc. information on family health history, recent illness, hospitalization or surgical procedures is important too. Find out if there is history of symptoms especially if associated with physical activity such as dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, emotional upsets, Medication in use, allergies and recreational drug use e.g. caffeine, alcohol or tobacco. Physical condition Record information concerning present conditions such as arthritis, joint swelling, pregnancy and physical disabilities or any other condition that would make use of certain tests modalities difficult Exercise history and work history Collect information on habitual level of activity, type of exercise, frequency, duration and intensity. Find out detail of the previous and current occupational physical demands. Informed consent This is a section where the participants get to be informed of what the testing procedure entails in order to gain understanding as to what to expect. The participant is then asked to give consent voluntarily by signing the consent form. The consent form has the following information; explanation of the nature of the tests, possible risks and discomforts, responsibilities of the participant, benefits of the testing to be expected, liberty to inquiries, freedom of consent and finally signatures of the participant and tester. CONTRAINDICATIONS OF TESTING Presence of ailment, disorders and pre-existing medical conditions (especially those related to the body system or fitness aspect under test Heavy medication