Assistant C1

Knowledge and skills in medical-fitness testing is important for the Sports Med-Tech Assistant, because over 80% of the adult population in the U.S. do not meet the recommendation for regular physical activity. Being able to identify and measure low levels of fitness, along with its co-determinant of obesity, is also important, because diminishing fitness levels lead to an increase of various chronic sedentary-related diseases, including: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugars, diabetes, heart disease, and many forms of cancer. In fact, inactivity with obesity has become the #1 cause of premature disease, disability, and death in America.

As a Sports Med-Tech Assistant, you will be working closely with a Sports Medicine Technician at a medical-fitness facility, such as a Med-Fit Clinic hosted by a local gym. Your supervising Sports Medicine Technician will orient you to the specific testing equipment that is used at the clinic or in the field to test their clients' levels of Cardio-Pulmonary-Vascular (Heart-Lungs-Blood Vessels) Fitness. The following instructions are generic guidelines that will prepare you for your hands-on laboratory assignments in CPV Fitness Testing.

1. CPV Fitness Testing on an outdoor Track

Your supervising Sports Medicine Technician may provide medical-fitness services at a school, church, or park using a 1/8th-mile (220-yard) track (instead of an indoor treadmill at their clinic), for testing CPV Fitness. The following field test is generally used at community-based "Free & Fun Fitness Trainings" sponsored by the OptiHealtth Network.

Participants should sign an Informed Consent, be screened for Medical Clearance, and be dressed for moderate physical activity.
A 1/8-mile (220-yard) level, loop track should be well marked in a safe area with no cross traffic.
The start and finish should share the same line and be clearly indicated.
Have the participant warm-up briefly before starting the test.
Have a separate timer (stop-watch) for each participant. (You may use the participant's smart phone.)
Instruct the participant to walk/jog one lap at a "comfortable, but challenging" pace, and that their 1-lap time will determine if they will stop at one lap or continue up three additional laps (for a maximum total of four laps).
If the participant is unable to complete one lap, document the time and approximate distance, and end the test.
If the participant's time is greater than 1:30, record the time and distance, and end the test.
If the participant's time is less than 1:30, record the time and distance, and instruct the participant to continue up to 3 more laps "as long as they feel comfortable."
Whether the participant quits or completes 3 more laps, document the time and distance, and end the test.
Use the chart below to score the participant's CPV Track Fitness Test.

2. Muscular Fitness Testing on an indoor Treadmill

Your supervising Sports Medicine Technician will have a treadmill in their clinic to provide SportsMedicine Support Services,including CPV Fitness Testing. The following treadmill test is the standardized CPV Fitness Test endorsed by the American Association of Sports Medicine Technicians (AASMT). Using this standardized test for patient referrals builds confidence in physicians who want to integrate exercise into their patients' treatment plans.

Participants should sign an Informed Consent, be screened for Medical Clearance, and be dressed for moderate physical activity.
A commercial-quality treadmill should be used and all manufacturing guidelines should be followed.
The incline of the treadmill must be set to 0.0%
Have the participant warm-up briefly before starting the test.
Use a timer (stop-watch) to mark each minute of the test.
Instruct the participant that the test is a "5-Minute Walk/Jog," but they can terminate the test at any time for any reason.
Explain that you will gradually increase the speed of the treadmill until reaching a "comfortable, but challenging" pace.
Start at 2 mph and increase by 0.5 - 1.0 mph every 30-60 seconds.
Ask the participant between each increase: "Do you think you could maintain this pace for 5 minutes?"
When a "comfortable, but challenging" pace is achieved, start the timer.
Observe the participant closely, watching for signs of distressful physical exertion.
Inform the participant at each elapsed minute.
You may offer technical instruction, but do not encourage the participant to continue.
If the participant experiences any distress, you may decrease the speed or stop the test.
Do not increase the speed of the treadmill during the test.
Record the time in minutes:seconds and the speed in mph at any change and at the end of the test.
Use the chart below to score the participants's CPV Treadmill Fitness Test.

Testing Medical-Fitness