ACSM- The American College of Sports Medicine


 

ACSM- The American College of Sports Medicine


The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) promotes research and education on sports medicine and exercise science. The ACSM health-related physical fitness test assesses 5 components: cardiorespiratory fitness using steps tests; body composition using bioelectric impedance; flexibility using the sit-and-reach test; muscular strength using hand grip dynamometers; and muscular endurance using push-up tests. Each component is measured using specific equipment and testing protocols.

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), headquartered in Indiana polis, Indiana, is a large sports medicine and exercise science membership organization. Founded in 1954, ACSM promotes and integrates scientific research, education, and practical applications of sports medicine and exercise science to maintain and enhance physical performance, fitness, health, and quality of life.

Components of Health-Related Physical Fitness Cardiorespiratory fitness is related to the ability to perform large muscle, dynamic, moderate-to-high intensity exercise for prolonged periods. Cardiorespiratory fitness can be assessed by various techniques and has many synonyms. One such synonym is maximal aerobic capacity. Body composition refers to the relative percentage of body weight that is fat and fat-free tissue. Percent body fat, among other techniques, may be used to assess body composition. Flexibility is the ability to move a joint through its complete range of movement. Flexibility is dependent upon which muscle and joint is being evaluated; therefore, it is joint specific. Muscular strength refers to the maximal force that can be generated by a specific muscle or muscle group. Muscular endurance is the ability of a muscle group to execute repeated contractions over a period of time sufficient to cause muscular fatigue, or to maintain a specific percentage of the maximum voluntary contraction.

 

ACSM’S HEALTH-RELATED PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST

 

ACSM’s Health-Related Physical Fitness Test is to provide how to perform assessments of the five health- related components of physical fitness, namely body composition, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility-The sit-and-reach test and the behind-the-back reach test, and cardiorespiratory fitness.

 

1.          Cardiorespiratory endurance:( six hundred-yard run-walk.)




The ability to perform large-muscle, dynamic, moderate - to - high intensity exercise for

       prolonged period.

There are quite a few variations of the walking or running test as a measure of aerobic fitness. Here is a general description of this type of test. For specific instructions for a particular walk and run test.

Procedure:

A football field that was appropriately marked was used to hold the 600-yard run-walk. The pupil used a standing start and at command began the test. Walking was permitted, but the object was to cover the distance in the shortest possible time. Time was recorded in minutes and seconds.

Scoring:

The score is the number of distances performed in second’s shortest possible time.

(Same as AAHPERD health related fitness test)

      

2. Body composition:



             The relative amounts of muscle, fat, bone and other vital parts of the body. By breaking the body down to its core components through a full body composition analysis, you can accurately measure and track changes in muscle mass, fat mass, and body fat percentage over time which can help you identify the areas you need to work on to lower your risk of disease and improve your overall health. The following are 4 body fat measurement techniques that are often accessible to fitness professionals: hydrostatic weighing, bioelectrical impedance, and skinfolds.

Image: Callipers used for skinfold tests.

  • Hydrostatic weighing, also known as underwater weighing or hydro densitometry, is one of the most accurate ways to measure body fat. This is done by submerging yourself in a tank of water and being weighed underwater. The measurements can then be broken down to determine your fat and fat-free mass, including your lean tissue and muscle mass.
  • Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA): This technique uses body fat and lean muscle mass as the basis for measurement by way of either a handheld device or BIA scale. Small electric currents are sent through the body and because water, fat, and lean tissue mass interact with the currents differently the devices can accurately assess the distribution of your mass.
  • Skinfold Measurements: Done by pinching the skin with callipers in seven different areas on the body, can provide a quick and relatively accurate estimate of body fat that can be compared to others of similar age and gender. This technique, while quick and requiring very little equipment, does not paint a complete picture of the different types of fat or how and where your body is storing it.

3.          Muscular strength:



The ability of muscle to exert force.

Purpose:

To measure the endurance of the arms and shoulder girls.

Equipment and Material:

Horizontal bar mat the floor and a chalk.

 Description:

1. Start in the push-ups position with the hands and the toes touching the floor.

2. The body and legs are in the straight line, feet slightly apart, the arms at shoulder apart, extend and right angles to the body.

3. Keeping the back and knees straight, the subject lowers the body until there is a 90-degree angle at the elbows with the upper arm parallel to the floor.

4. A partner hands their hands at the point of 90-degree angle so that the subject being tested goes down only until their shoulder touches the partner’s hands, there lock up.

5. The pushups are complete pushups are done in time to a metronome or similar device with one complete pushups every three seconds (1.5 seconds down and 1.5 seconds up,20 complete pushups per minute).

6. The subject continuous until they can do no more in rhythm (has not done the last three in rhythm) or has reached the target number of pushups.

Scoring:

The score is considering for the correct push ups executed by the subject within 30 seconds. Each push up gets each one mark.

Rules:

·    To proper stretching exercise

·    Elbow extended and Elbow bend.

 

4.          Muscular endurance:



The ability of muscle to continue to perform without fatigue.

Muscular Endurance: It is the ability of muscle group to execute repeated contractions over a period of time sufficient to cause muscle fatigue, or to maintain a specific percentage of the maximal voluntary contraction for a prolonged period of time. Absolute muscular endurance is the total number of repetitions at a given amount of resistance is measured. Relative muscular endurance is the number of repetitions performed at a percentage of the 1 -RM (e.g: 75%) which is in both pre- and post-testing. A simple field test such as the maximum number of push-ups that can be performed without rest may be used to evaluate the endurance of upper body muscles.

 

       5.   Flexibility: (same as sit and reach)



The range of motion available at a joint. (Same as AAHPERD health related fitness test. This

test was first described by Wells and Dillon in 1952)

Flexibility is the ability to move a joint through its complete range of motion. It is important in the ability to carry out ADLs and in athletic performance. It depends on a number of specific variables including distensibility of the joint capsule, adequate warm-up, and muscle viscosity. Flexibility is joint specific; thus, no single flexibility test can be used to evaluate total body flexibility. Goniometers, inclinometers, electro goniometers, the Leighton fluxmeter and tape measures are some common devices to measure flexibility in degrees. Sit and reach test is one of the flexibility tests.

 Purpose: To evaluate the flexibility of the lower back and posterior.

Equipment and Material: Sit and Reach Box, A long Scale.

 

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