Question

Explain the procedure for administering any three test items of Rikli and Jones Test.

Answer 1

The Rikli and Jones Senior Citizen Fitness Test is used to assess the functional fitness of older adults. Its test items should not be administered to persons having chest pain, dizziness, high blood pressure, heart problems, or similar medical conditions.

Procedures for any three test items are as follows:

Procedure of Chair Stand Test (for lower body strength):

• Place the chair against a wall or another stable support.
• The participant sits on the chair with the back straight, feet flat on the floor and shoulder-width apart.
• The arms are crossed at the wrists and held close to the chest.
• On the command 'Go', the participant stands up completely, then returns fully to the seated position. This counts as one stand.
• The participant repeats this as many times as possible in 30 seconds. Scoring: The score is the number of completed chair stands in 30 seconds. If the participant is halfway through a stand when the time ends, it is counted as a full stand.

Procedure of Arm Curl Test (for upper body strength):

• The participant sits on the chair and holds the weight in the dominant hand using a suitcase grip (palm facing the body).
• On the command 'Go', the participant bends the elbow through a full range of motion, curling the weight upward, then lowers it back to the starting position.
• The participant continues performing as many controlled arm curls as possible in 30 seconds. Scoring: The score is the total number of controlled arm curls performed in 30 seconds.

Procedure of Eight Foot Up-and-Go Test (for agility, speed, and balance):

• Place the chair against a wall or stable surface.
• Place the cone exactly 8 feet in front of the chair.
• The participant sits on the chair with hands on thighs, feet flat on the floor, and one foot slightly ahead of the other.
• On the command 'Go', the participant stands up, walks as quickly as possible (without running) to the cone, walks around it, returns to the chair, and sits down.
• Two trials are given with a short rest between them. Scoring: The best (fastest) time of the two trials, measured to the nearest 1/10th second, is recorded.

Thus, these three test items provide simple, reliable, and practical measures of lower body strength, upper body strength, and agility for senior citizens.