Question

What is the purpose of Rikli and Jones fitness test? Explain the procedure of any two test items in detail.

Discuss the purpose of the Rikli and Jones fitness test and explain the procedure of any two test batteries in detail.

Answer 1

Even in old age, everybody wants to be able to continue to do what he wants without pain for as long as possible. It requires proper fitness at such an age. In the beginning, there were not enough tests to assess the functional fitness. Recognizing the need for a tool to evaluate the functional fitness performance of older adults, Dr. Roberta Rikli and Dr. Jessie Jones developed the senior fitness test at Fullerton University. This test is also known as the Fullerton Functional Test of senior citizens. The test is based on a functional fitness framework, which points out being able to perform everyday activities.

The following are the test items:

1. Chair stand test for lower body strength.
2. Arm curl test for upper body strength.
3. Chair sit and reach test for lower body flexibility.
4. Back-scratch test for upper body flexibility.
5. Eight-foot up and go test for agility.
6. Six-minute walk test for cardio-vascular endurance and recovery.

1. Chair stand test for lower body strength:
   1. Purpose of the test: The purpose of the Chair-Stand is to measure the strength of the lower body of adults over 60 years of age. Lower body strength is important for activities such as getting out of a chair, on the bus, out of the car and rising up from a kneeling position in the house or garden. The strength of your lower body can directly affect the ease with which you perform the activities you do every day.
   2. Equipment required: A straight back or folding chair without armrests (seat 17 inches/44 cm high), stopwatch.
   3. Procedure:
      1. Place the chair against a wall where it will be stable.
      2. Sit in the middle of the chair with your feet flat on the floor, shoulder-width apart, and back straight.
      3. Cross your arms at the wrist and place them close to the chest.
      4. On the command ‘go’, you will rise up to a full stand and sit again as many times as you can during the 30-second interval.
      5. Count the total number of complete chair stands (up and down equals one stand). If the subject has completed a full stand from the sitting position when the time is elapsed, the final stand is counted in the total.
   4. Scoring: The score is the number of completed chair-stands in 30 seconds. Below is a table showing the recommended ranges for this test based on age groups.
2. Eight feet up and go test for agility:
   1. Purpose of the test: To measure speed, agility and dynamic balance.
   2. Equipment required: A Chair (about 17 inches/44 cm high), cone marker, measuring tape, area clear of obstacles and stopwatch.
   3. Procedure:
      1. Place the marker 8 feet in front of the chair next to a wall.
      2. The path between the chair and the marker should be cleared.
      3. The subject starts completely seated with hands resting on the knees and feet flat on the ground.
      4. Timing starts on the command, 'Go'; the subject stands and walks as quickly as possible (no running) to and around the cone and finally returns to the chair to sit down.
      5. As he sits down, the timing stops.
      6. Two trials are performed.
   4. Scoring: The best time of the two trials is taken at the nearest 1/10th of a second.
3. Arm Curl (Bicep) Test for Upper Body Strength:
   1. Purpose: This test measures upper-body strength and endurance.
   2. Equipment required: 5-pound weight (women), 8-pound weight (for men). A chair without arm rests, stopwatch.
   3. Procedure:
      1. The subject sits on the chair holding the weight in the hand using a suitcase grip (palm facing towards the body).
      2. This test is conducted on the dominant arm side (or stronger side).
      3. On the command ‘go,’ do as many curls as you can in the allotted 30-second time period.
      4. Do not swing the weight.
      5. If you have started raising the weight again and are over halfway up when time is called, you may count that curl.
   4. Scoring: The score is the total number of controlled arm curls performed in 30 seconds. Below is a table showing some recommended ranges for this test based on age groups.