Question

Describe the procedure for administering Rikli and Jones Sr. Citizen Fitness Test.

Answer 1

1. Chair Stand Test (lower body strength): Place the chair against a wall so it does not move. The participant sits in the middle of the chair with back straight, feet flat on the floor about shoulder-width apart, and arms crossed at the wrists against the chest. On the command 'Go', the participant stands up completely, then sits back down fully. This counts as one stand. The participant repeats this as many times as possible for 30 seconds. Score: total number of completed stands in 30 seconds; if the participant is halfway up when time ends, count it as a full stand.
2. Arm Curl Test (upper body strength/endurance): The participant sits on the chair holding a dumbbell in the dominant hand in a suitcase grip (palm facing the body), with the arm hanging down beside the chair. On 'Go', the participant bends the elbow and curls the weight upward through the full range of motion, then lowers it back to the starting position. The movement should be controlled, without swinging. Score: total number of correctly completed arm curls in 30 seconds.
3. Chair Sit & Reach Test (lower body flexibility): Stabilise the chair against a wall. The participant sits on the front edge of the chair with one foot flat on the floor and the other leg extended forward with the knee straight, heel on the floor, and ankle bent at 90 degrees. One hand is placed on top of the other with the middle fingertips even. The participant bends forward at the hip and slides the hands along the extended leg towards the toes, holding the final position for at least 2 seconds. Score: distance from the fingertips to the toe, recorded to the nearest 1 cm or 0.5 inch; negative if the fingers do not reach the toe, positive if they pass the toe. Note which leg was tested.
4. Back Scratch Test (upper body flexibility/shoulder range of motion): The participant stands. One arm is raised overhead, bent at the elbow, and reaches down the back with the palm facing the back and fingers extended. The other arm is placed behind the back from below, palm outward, fingers pointing up. The participant tries to bring the middle fingers of both hands as close as possible, touching or overlapping them. Score: measure the distance between the fingertips to the nearest 0.5 inch or 1 cm; give 0 if they touch, a negative score if there is a gap, and a positive score if the fingers overlap.
5. Eight Foot Up-and-Go Test (agility/speed/balance): Place the chair against a wall and place a cone or marker 8 feet in front of the chair. The participant sits on the chair with hands on thighs and feet flat on the floor, one foot slightly ahead of the other. On 'Go', the participant rises from the chair, walks as quickly as possible (without running) to the cone, walks around it, and returns to sit down. Two trials are given with rest in between. Score: the best time to the nearest 0.1 second, from the command 'Go' until the participant is seated again.
6. Six-Minute Walk Test (aerobic endurance): Mark a walking course, for example parallel lines 20 yards apart joined by 5-yard lines, or use a measured track. On 'Go', the participant walks continuously for 6 minutes, covering as much distance as possible without running. Walking slowly or briefly stopping is allowed, but the aim is maximum distance. Score: total distance walked in 6 minutes, recorded to the nearest metre or yard. For participants who cannot walk safely or have balance problems, use the alternative 2-minute step test: mark the wall midway between the patella (kneecap) and iliac crest (top of hip bone); the participant marches in place for 2 minutes lifting each knee to the mark; score is the number of times the right knee reaches the tape level.