Assessment
What this domain tests
Assessment gathers physiological, movement, and behavioral data to set a safe baseline and individualized plan. The exam favors practical screening, interpretation, and reassessment over exhaustive lab testing.
Core rules
- Start with informed consent, PAR-Q+/health history, medications, injury history, and medical clearance when indicated.
- Assess readiness and confidence with importance/confidence rulers (0–10); low confidence calls for smaller steps, low importance calls for exploring values and ambivalence.
- Collect baseline biometrics: resting HR, BP when appropriate, height/weight, waist circumference. BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnosis; it misclassifies muscular clients and ignores fat distribution.
- Choose submaximal cardiorespiratory tests for most clients: YMCA cycle ergometer, Rockport 1-mile walk, or 1.5-mile run for conditioned clients; stop for dizziness, chest pain, or unusual dyspnea.
- Screen movement with overhead squat and single-leg squat; assess posture, flexibility, and muscular endurance (push-up, plank, squat tests).
- Assess behavior: self-monitoring habits, barriers, social support, environment, and prior attempts.
- Reassess every 4–6 weeks for behavior and every 8–12 weeks for fitness, or when the plan changes.
Worked example
A client is 1.7 m and 80 kg. BMI = 80 / (1.7²) = 27.7 kg/m², in the overweight category. But waist circumference, body composition, and behavior matter more than the label. Confidence for meal prep is 4/10 and importance is 9/10. The reasoning: high importance plus low confidence signals a skills/self-efficacy gap, so the coach explores barriers and negotiates one small prep habit rather than repeating why nutrition matters.
Traps
Treating BMI as a diagnosis; maximal testing without clearance; skipping behavioral assessment; assessing once and never reassessing; and letting numbers overshadow the client's story.