Senior Fitness Test Manual

Roberta E. Rikli, PhD, is professor of kinesiology and dean emeritus of the college of health and human development at California State University in Fullerton and was cofounder of the LifeSpan Wellness Program at Fullerton. For the past two decades she has done extensive work in physical performance assessment with a particular focus on senior fitness. She has published numerous scientific papers on her work and has made over 100 presentations at conferences and workshops in the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Finland, Scotland, Brazil, China, Korea, and Japan. Dr. Rikli has served on the editorial boards of three scientific journals and is a regular reviewer for several others. She has held leadership positions in professional organizations, including the International Society for Aging and Physical Activity; the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD); the American Kinesiology Association; and the National Academy of Kinesiology. Dr. Rikli lives in Orange, California, and enjoys playing golf, hiking, and playing tennis. C. Jessie Jones, PhD, is professor and chair of the department of health science at California State University in Fullerton. She is director of the Fibromyalgia and Pain Management Center at Fullerton and cofounder of the Center for Successful Aging. Dr. Jones is internationally known for her research, program design, curriculum development, and instructor training in the field of exercise science and aging. She has taught senior fitness classes and conducted training workshops for senior fitness instructors for over 25 years. Her work has been covered in numerous publications and presented at conferences worldwide. Her professional memberships include the Gerontological Society of America, the American Public Health Association, and the American Academy for Pain Management. Dr. Jones lives in Fullerton, California, where she enjoys dancing, drumming, hiking, playing golf, and jogging with her dog.

Chapter 1. Fitness Testing in Later Years: Recognizing Unique Needs of Older Adults Importance of Fitness and Fitness Testing in Later Years Rationale for Developing the SFT Unique Qualities of the SFT Uses of the SFT History of the SFTA?A?A"A Decade of Use Summary Chapter 2. The Senior Fitness Test: Defining Functional Fitness Parameters Conceptual Background Functional Fitness Parameters Test Selection Criteria Overview of Test Items Summary Chapter 3. Test Validity, Reliability, Percentile Norms, and Criterion-Referenced Performance Standards: Identifying Relevant Fitness Measures for Older Adults Validity Reliability Percentile norms Criterion-referenced functional fitness standards Summary Chapter 4. Test Administration: Establishing Consistent Testing Protocols Pretest Procedures and Considerations Administering the Tests Guidelines for Group Testing Summary Chapter 5. Test Results: Interpreting and Using Feedback to Motivate and Improve Performance Interpreting Test Scores Methods of Providing Feedback to Participants Using Test Results to Motivate Participants Summary Chapter 6. Exercise Recommendations for Older Adults: Improving Senior Fitness Test Scores Physical Activity and Exercise Guidelines for Older Adults Lifestyle Exercise Guidelines for Structured Exercise to Improve SFT Scores Exercises to Improve Strength, Flexibility, Agility, and Balance SummaryChapter 1. Fitness Testing in Later Years: Recognizing Unique Needs of Older Adults Importance of Fitness and Fitness Testing in Later Years Rationale for Developing the SFT Unique Qualities of the SFT Uses of the SFT History of the SFT-A Decade of Use Summary Chapter 2. The Senior Fitness Test: Defining Functional Fitness Parameters Conceptual Background Functional Fitness Parameters Test Selection Criteria Overview of Test Items Summary Chapter 3. Test Validity, Reliability, Percentile Norms, and Criterion-Referenced Performance Standards: Identifying Relevant Fitness Measures for Older Adults Validity Reliability Percentile norms Criterion-referenced functional fitness standards Summary Chapter 4. Test Administration: Establishing Consistent Testing Protocols Pretest Procedures and Considerations Administering the Tests Guidelines for Group Testing Summary Chapter 5. Test Results: Interpreting and Using Feedback to Motivate and Improve Performance Interpreting Test Scores Methods of Providing Feedback to Participants Using Test Results to Motivate Participants Summary Chapter 6. Exercise Recommendations for Older Adults: Improving Senior Fitness Test Scores Physical Activity and Exercise Guidelines for Older Adults Lifestyle Exercise Guidelines for Structured Exercise to Improve SFT Scores Exercises to Improve Strength, Flexibility, Agility, and Balance Summary