ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the assessment of health-related physical fitness and physical activity for child, youth, adult, and older adult populations. The assessment of this area is placed in the context of current research that emphasizes the multiple benefits of regular physical activity. The relationship between physical activity and physical fitness is explained, and the differences among physiological fitness, health-related physical fitness, and skill-related physical fitness are examined. The components of health-related physical fitness – body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, flexibility, muscular endurance, and muscular strength – are identified and defined. Test batteries appropriate for K – 12 students, adults, and older adults are presented with these components of health-related physical fitness in mind. The tests included in this chapter are age appropriate, represent current research findings, require little expense, and are simple to administer. Emphasis is placed on linking the choice of measurement tools with the objectives of the particular activity-based setting. The importance of emphasizing the process of physical activity rather than the product of the test performance is noted. Suggestions and recommendations to incorporate the assessment of physical activity into the evaluation of health-related physical fitness have also been presented.
