Despite working out regularly and following a healthy diet, you might not be as fit and healthy as you think you are. According to the British Heart Foundation, 1 in 5 British adults are not fit enough to run even 100 meters, a shocking statistic even further aggravated by the fact that most people do not go for regular medical checkups. In order to determine your true fitness level, you need to measure it. While you can make use of a number of handy tools such as heart rate monitors and fitness trackers and apps, you can also enlist the assistance of your doctor and dentist to help you accurately assess not only your progress. As a fitness professional, it is pivotal to encourage your clients to adhere to regular testing not only for the benefit of their fitness but their overall health as well.
Body composition testing
A body composition test is an effective way to determine whether you are making progress with regard to your health and fitness. There are three common methods that are employed to help estimate an individual’s body composition. Your body mass index (BMI) is indicative of whether you have a healthy amount of body fat with a reading between18.5 and 24.9 being considered healthy. Skinfold measurements can also be taken to estimate how much body fat is contained in a fold of skin while a bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) can determine your body composition by sending electrodes from the soles of your feet to your abdomen. It is pivotal to have your body composition checked often to ensure you are not losing too much weight due to intensive exercise.
Dental checkup
Did you know that a routine dental exam can reveal a lot more about your overall health than you ever imagined? While there may not be a direct link between your dental health and your fitness levels, the presence of periodontal (gum disease) may be attributed to serious underlying medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cerebral vascular disease (CVD), rheumatoid arthritis and even cardiac failure. The British Dental Association recommends visiting a dentist every 6 months to a year to maintain high levels of oral hygiene while also keeping a close eye on your overall health.
Cholesterol testing
How fit you are has a direct impact on your cholesterol levels. If you are fit you will have higher levels of HDL (good) cholesterol in your blood while your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels will be significantly lower. By engaging in regular exercise your body will be able to utilize the cholesterol in your blood better, ridding the body of potentially artery-clogging excesses. The NHS recommends 150 minutes of moderate activity a week to improve your cholesterol levels. It is recommended to have your cholesterol checked before starting out on a new exercise program and again at regular intervals to help gauge your progress.
Cardiac testing
The best way to prevent heart disease is to be frequently tested for major risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressures, and high blood glucose. Cardiac testing can also help you assess the effectiveness of your workout schedule. One of the most prevalent methods to measure cardiac fitness is by performing a treadmill test. The graded test consists of a number of sessions on a treadmill while heart rate and blood pressure is being closely monitored. Other methods of testing include blood pressure monitors and EKG machines.
In order to ensure that individuals are making the most out of their fitness journeys it is important that their progress is tracked accurately and frequently. While a lot of tracking can be done via fitness gadgets and apps, nothing can compete with the professional assessments that can be conducted by a range of industry professionals.
Guest Post by Jane Sandwood