CCU Community Fitness Testing Program

Overview Testing Options

Overview

A minimum level of personal fitness and physical activity is widely viewed as one of the best forms of health insurance. With increased emphasis on personal responsibility in health care, it pays for the individual to be informed about their risk for disease and illness and the role of exercise and physical activity.

The Coastal Carolina University community has access to the best available physical fitness assessments. As an educational endeavor and community service, these tests are available at a fraction of the commercial costs. CCU faculty and staff receive additional cost reductions.

The Community Fitness Testing Program is designed to provide both beginning and advanced exercisers a picture of their fitness and health status. Participants may gain insight into their heart / cardiovascular disease risk, body composition status, and muscular / joint fitness level. This is a comprehensive testing program that goes beyond assessment; participants receive a thorough report of their results in addition to an individualized exercise and lifestyle modification plan. The Program may also provide advanced exercisers with the most accurate assessments of their training state to enhance future performance.

Participants in the Community Fitness Testing Program may choose one of three testing options depending on current level of fitness and individual needs and goals.

For more information about the Community Fitness Testing Program, or to schedule an assessment(s), please contact Stacey Beam, Laboratory Coordinator, Smith Exercise Science Lab, 349-2807, or sbeam@coastal.edu

Testing Options

Option 1: Baseline Profile - Beginning Exerciser

The baseline profile uses the TriFit computerized assessment system to assess five basic components of fitness in a 20 minute session. Participants are provided with norms, interpretation, and strategies on their current fitness levels on the following:

Cardiovascular fitness (step or bike test)
Body composition (skinfold analysis)
Muscular / Joint Flexibility test
Muscular Strength
Muscular Endurance

Cost: $40 Community; $30 CCU Faculty / Staff

Option 2: Comprehensive Health / Fitness Evaluation - Intermediate Exerciser

This comprehensive, 45-minute session provides a more in-depth analysis of cardiovascular status and heart disease risk and includes:

Blood Pressure Assessment (determine if you are within the recommended ranges for blood pressure at rest, during, and upon recovery from exercise)

Resting 12-Lead EKG (provides us with a picture of the heart at rest)

Body Composition (to determine if amount of body fat is within recommended ranges, due to the increased risk of disease with excess body fat)

Graded Exercise Test (Aerobic capacity - to determine how efficiently your heart and lungs work together)

Strength & Flexibility Assessment (looks at two important aspects of fitness that should be incorporated into your regular exercise program

Cost: $75 Community; $60 CCU Faculty / Staff

Option 3: Individualized Fitness Assessments

Participants (both beginning and advanced exercisers) may choose independent tests with different time and preparation requirements. See the chart below for the available test. Many of these tests use advanced scientific methods, providing the "gold standard" fitness assessment.

Test

Level of Exerciser

Est. Length

Cost

	Beginner	Advanced	(mins)	Community/CCU
Cardiorespiratory Direct Measurement (VO2 Max)*		X	45	$45 / $35
Indirect Measurement* (Aerobic Capacity)	X	X	30	$30 / $20
Body Composition Hydrostatic (Underwater) Weighing	X	X	45	$35 / $25
Skinfold Assessment	X		15	$15 / $10
Strength Isokinetic Assessment (Shoulder, Trunk, Knees)	X	X	30	$45 / $35
Field Assessment (Strength, Endurance, & Flexibility)	X		15	$15 / $10
Lung Function Test	X	X	20	$25 / $15
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)*	X	X	20	$35 / $25

All tests include interpretation and exercise prescription for participants.
(*Certain restrictions / pre-test requirements may apply)