Practical Health Lifestyle Evaluation

Practical Health and Lifestyle Evaluation

For this report the client in this lifestyle evaluation was a 20 year old of 105kg weight and is 6ft 6” tall. The main sport that client participates in is football but he is also very keen on performing cardiovascular and strength training in the gym.

Pre- Test Screening Procedures

First of all the client was given a health-screening questionnaire to answer, which is attached as appendix one. This questionnaire is effective as it is relatively simple and is easy to understand. It also covers a wide range of areas which then can gather more information about the client.

Method

For this report there were different methods used to collect the required data. To start off with the client entered their personal data into the Fitech programme. After this the client’s height was measured. After this the client was weighed. After being weighed the client then had their blood pressure taken, this test also takes the clients resting heart rate. The equipment used to take the clients blood pressure was an Omron M4-1 Blood Pressure Monitor. After this the client had their body fat percentage, body mass index, lean muscle percentage, lean weight, water percentage, total body water, the estimate metabolic rate at rest and the estimated average daily requirement of energy using a Bodystat 1500. The client then had their strength tested by using a Grip D Strength Dynamometer. The client then had their lung function tested by using a Micro plus Spirometer. The client then had their stamina tested by using a Monark Bike and Fitech Astrant Test. To test the client’s flexibility a sit and reach test was used. The data was then added to the Fitech program and then the client had to answer some general questions about their diet. More detail can be found on appendix one.

Results

This is a preview of the whole essay

Results

The results that the client achieved in the above said tests were quite good. The client’s fat intake was recorded as okay and he had a recommended daily fat intake of 112.5g and a recommended calorie intake of 3375kcals. The client’s body fat percentage was 17.8% which is at the recommended healthy level but his body mass index indicated that he was overweight with a score of 27.1. This means that the client is at an increased health risk. The client’s systolic blood pressure was high and the diastolic pressure was normal with a score of 150/67. The average for blood pressure is 135/85. With an increased blood pressure this can put the client at risk and if at this sort of level constantly it will need to be treated by either medication or by making changes to lifestyles. The clients resting heart rate was classed as excellent with a score of 47bpm. This is possibly due to the fact that the client is relatively active. The client’s flexibility was deemed as poor with a score of 29cm. The client’s strength has been classed as excellent with a score of 60.6kgf; the grip test gives a useful indicator of overall body strength. The client’s lung functions weren’t as impressive as some of his other results. His forced vital capacity was classed as normal with a score of 5.54 litres, an expiratory volume rating of 4.09 litres which is classed as below average, an expiratory ratio rating of 74% which is below average and a peak flow rate rating of 375l/min which is classed as poor. The client’s resting heart rate was 47bpm which is classed as excellent.

Interpretations

A persons body fat percentage can, “affect body shape and weight because muscle tissue is more compact than fat” (anon, 2007). This client’s body fat percentage was at the top end of the healthy level for his sex, age and build. To make sure that this client keeps his body fat percentage at that level or perhaps lower it by having a combination of healthy eating and regular physical activity. It is important to have a healthy diet because, “A healthy diet and adequate exercise maximizes the likelihood of keeping fit and helping to prevent diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses” (Anon, 2006). The body mass index is an indicator of total body composition. With this test the client’s results showed that he was above the recommended range which is 20 - 25. A reason for this is that, “Fat takes up more than four times as much space as lean muscle mass” (Lige 2003) which indicates that the muscle will have more weight than fat. To determine healthy body composition it is important that body fat percentage is considered in proportion to to muscle mass. This client has a high lean muscle mass score which indicates that he is quite healthy and is above normal for the average muscle mass with a score of 83%. Worryingly for this client his blood pressure was classed as high. This is an important risk factor in heart disease. To help the client combat this it is important that the client should, “lose weight if overweight, be physically active, choose foods low in salt and sodium and limit alcohol intake” (Diane 1994). Resting heart rate is a good way to test how fit a person is and athletes often use this method as a way of finding out if they have over-trained. The score that the client gained was excellent but he needs to keep his fitness up as his, “heart muscle is strong and therefore it has a higher stroke volume, which means that it can pump more blood with each beat than an untrained heart,” (Thompson 2002). This client’s flexibility was poor which can increase the risk of developing lower back problems and may affect posture. To improve the clients flexibility he needs to, “Stretch after performing exercises, also do them at least 3 times a week, for at least 20 minutes each session and when performing stretches slowly stretch into the desired position, as far as possible without pain, and hold the stretch for 10 to 30 seconds. Relax, then repeat, trying to stretch farther,” (Anon 1999) and by doing this he will increase his range of flexibility and reduce the risk of problems in later life. The client’s strength score was excellent and to keep his current level of strength he should continue to exercise and eat healthy. The client’s lung function scores were not as impressive as his other scores. To improve his lung functions in general the client should, “perform breathing exercises enforce good habits where the full range of lung function is used therefore the body gets the oxygen it needs, this not only feels better, but provides more energy,” (Gupta 2007) and by performing cardiovascular work lung function can be improved.

Conclusion

The tests that were used were controlled tests as there was a tutor present and they were performed in a controlled environment with no external factors that could play a part in any of the results. The tests are ethical as they are recommended tests and were performed using the correct guidelines and equipment.