ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the fundamentals of measuring the various aspects of physical fitness and in the next those of exercise, physical activity, and health. Many modern definitions of physical fitness include body composition as one of the components. Body composition measures offer several advantages over simple measurements of body weight. Heart rate monitor watches may be used to measure heart rates during field tests of fitness. Measurements of range of motion or flexibility are usually included in fitness test batteries. These are perhaps most useful as criterion-referenced measures. Fitness tests for older people present some major challenges. First, safety has to be paramount because many older people have undiagnosed disease, so exertion can present a serious health risk. Second, many older people have poor strength and endurance, so body weight must be used carefully and in such a way as to ensure informative scores.
