The Analysis of the Physical Test Lab - Essay Example

17 April Physical Performance Assessment Upon participating in a physical test lab in the exercise physiology laboratory at the Uni gym, using the factors to assess my current physical performance, I learned a lot about the current state of my health. From these factors I have learned what my physical strengths and weaknesses are. I have also learned that there are some aspects of my lifestyle that I could consider changing to try to make myself healthier. When evaluating a number of factors that could improve my health, several were assessed. This helps me to determine what kind of shape I am in as well as my overall health. The factors that were measured included my percent of fat, my VO2 max, my forward flexion, my grip strength max, grip sum per weight ratio, my vital capacity, my actual vital capacity per ratio, my blood pressure, my risk for coronary heart disease and my total fitness score. These factors help me to determine what changes I need to make to strengthen my body and minimize my risks for heart disease. The VO2 max is the amount of maximum oxygen or volume of oxygen that is utilized during one minute of exhaustive exercise according to our informative handout. It is measured in the units of milliliters of oxygen used in one minute per kilogram of body weight. During my assessment, my VO2 level of milliliters per kilogram per minute was at 26.4 percent. This falls in the range that borderlines between average and below average. This factor helps to determine my capacity to perform exercise and correlates with my aerobic fitness. Since it is at a fair range, I consider it to be one of the positive aspects of my physical assessment values during the analysis of the test. Other positive aspects of the physical assessment test are that according to body fat percentages, I am considered to be lean at 20 percent. My vital capacity was average at 3.46 liters. My actual vital capacity ratio was 0.89 which was also considered to be average. As far as my forward flexion in inches, I was at 1 inch which was fair but still below average. My total coronary heart disease risk was at an 8, which is average but a little bit on the higher side. These were the most positive aspects of my assessment. When looking at the negative aspects, though my coronary heart risk was at an 8 which was at average risk, I would prefer if it were to be below average. My VO2 max being at 26.4 milliliters per kilogram per minute is below average. My maximum grip strength was poor at 20.0 kilograms. One thing that concerned me a little bit was my blood pressure. The bottom number, also known as the diastolic blood pressure measure was 62 and that is a number that is considered to be low The top number, which is the systolic measurement of blood pressure was 122, which is borderline high. With my blood pressure being 122 over 62, I am a little bit concerned about my blood pressure but I think that with continued efforts with my health, I can help change that. I was a little disappointed in my total fitness score at 29 which was fair but below average so I realize it is something that needs to be worked on. When considering some things that I need to improve on, the first that comes to mind is my blood pressure. I need to do a little bit more exercise to try to level it out. I need to increase my total fitness score. For my age, it is on the low side which tells me I need to be a little bit more active in order to change that number. I also need to change my strength levels as they are also very low. When looking at the total assessment, I think that there is always room for change and improvement. No matter what I do, I think that there will be room for improvement and to increase my health now while I am younger rather than to wait until I am older and it will be harder to get under control. Considering my current lifestyle, I have never smoked a cigarette, used illegal drugs or drank alcohol. This contributes to the reasons why my forced vital capacity ratio, forced vital capacity and VO2 max are normal. Oxygen flows well through my body which is a good thing. One thing I realize is that since my strength is poor, I need to consider going to the gym on a more regular basis to try to improve my strength since I do not do that. I currently have pretty good eating habits that have helped me to have a lower body fat measurement. I typically eat healthy and eat more seafood than anything. If I do eat meat, I usually consume chicken and when I do, it is typically grilled. I do also sometimes eat red meat but it is in minimal consumption. Since I was a bit alarmed about my blood pressure, I want to stay focused on my lifestyle in order to make sure that the systolic and diastolic numbers are in a better range for people of my age. The blood pressure reading could have contributed to my total health score. One thing I might attribute to my blood pressure being off is that I was a bit rushed when I hurried to my appointment so I am hoping that it was only because I was stressed about getting to the appointment on time. I will, however, continue to keep a closer eye on it to see if I can get it to a more normal level. When looking at some of the most realistic things I can do to reach a more optimal level of healthy well-being, I think in some ways, I am right on track. As long as I continue to not do drugs, smoke or consume alcohol, my FVC, FVC ratio and VO2 max will still be in the normal range. I am glad that with my diet that my body fat is at 20 percent. As long as I continue to eat healthy and try to stay lean, I will be at a lower risk for coronary heart risk and that is definitely something I want to avoid. I will work out more and make going to the gym a more regular regimen. The things that I would like to focus on are my strength. I had no idea that my body strength was so weak. I think that it is important to start a regular schedule of lifting weights and working in some cardio workouts so that I am building muscle and maintaining a good flow of oxygen throughout my body. I really would like to work on my total fitness score so by gaining a balance in all aspects that were on my assessment, I think that I will be able to gain a better chance of dodging coronary heart disease. I do not like that it is an average score and that is why I am going to make it a goal of mine to continue to eat healthy, work out, lift weights and try to stay in shape. It is easier at this age to have a better physical performance than it will be when I am older so now is the time to make the changes I need to avoid any potential health problems. I would like to put these changes to work for a while, perhaps a year, and then return after making my lifestyle changes to see if my physical performance has also changed. Read More