ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the fundamentals of measuring and evaluating physical activity and nutrition. It discusses the safety and medical screening prior to beginning an exercise program. In many situations, professionals must prescribe exercise for their athletes, students, clients, or patients. Direct measurement of metabolic rate requires enclosing the individual within a large, well-insulated chamber. By measuring key health indicators, such as the constituents of the circulating blood, the blood's gas composition, or blood clotting, the healthcare professional can identify potentially serious health conditions and possibly save the patient's life. Measurements of initial fitness levels reveal the person's strongest and weakest areas of fitness and may suggest initial goals. Intensity is the most challenging descriptor to measure and is also one of the most important to measure. Intensity may be the most important factor in physical training.
