COMPUTERIZED FITNESS/WELLNESS SOFTWARE

Dr. Craig M. Ross
Indiana University

I. Introduction

Why is there a need for fitness software? The fitness industry has experienced a tremendous increase in the number of fitness activity programs offered each year. Due to this increase in popularity, many fitness software programs have been developed to assist the fitness practitioner with the management of these programs. Software can assist in the following areas:

Customer service and participant retention. Participants who obtain results in actual printouts and see progress are motivated to continue using your facility and program.

A fitness software application provides a personalized caloric, nutrition and exercise program to help participants meet their goals.

Great way to promote your facility and program and attract new members. For example, you may conduct a mini-test promotion one week for stress assessment. The next week may be blood pressure, the next body composition, and so on.

Usually programs have a "Quick Test" which allows you to perform a single test and provide a one page printout of their results. Ideal for testing large groups of people at different special events and marketing your program.

Group evaluations are ideal for contests and wellness programs..

II. Types of Fitness/Wellness Software

There are a variety of fitness and wellness software applications. Among the most popular for recreation and park programs are:

1. Fitness Assessment Profile

2. Health Risk Assessment

3. Personal Fitness Programs

4. Weight Management Programs

III. Fitness Assessment Profiles

The most popular fitness assessment test is the PAR-Q pre-test screening questionnaire that helps to identify individuals who should obtain medical approval before proceeding with profile. Other tests include:

Biometrics: Medical history, blood pressure, heart rate, blood chemistries, girth, body weight.

Cardiovascular Fitness: Treadmill, bike ergometer, 1mi walk, 12 minute run, step test.

Muscular Strength: Isometric, hand grip, push-ups, sit-ups, bench press, leg press.

Flexibility: Sit & reach, trunk & shoulder rotation.

Body Composition: Skin folds.

IV. Health Risk Assessment

This type of program analyzes a person's health history and current lifestyle and estimates his or her risk of early death or illness. A program would not detect an illness already in progress but would analyze a person's physiology and lifestyle factors such as body fat, cholesterol, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, etc. to compute their health impact over the next 5-10 years.

• It is a combination of education, motivation and peer support which helps an individual adopt healthy personal habits.

  Software produces a wellness score with specific recommendations.

  Software uses data from national institutes such as the Center for Disease Control (CDC), National Cancer Institute, American Heart Association, etc. who study various risk factors: cancer risk, heart disease, nutrition habits, blood chemistries, diabetes, etc.

V. Personal Fitness Programs

1. Weight Management

2. Meal Planners

3. Individualized Exercise Prescriptions for Each Participant

Compatible with variety of exercise equipment and activities.

Should have common exercise machines, sports and exercises.

Should be able to modify list at any time to include whatever additional equipment or activities are introduced.

VI. Exercise Prescriptions

1. Brief medical history should be presented at the beginning of each plan to help identify those individuals who should have medical clearances before continuing.

2. Software then checks individuals personal profile for most recent body fat, strength, flexibility and cardiovascular data. Profile components with a score of average or less are highlighted for suggested improvement. Participant then chooses areas in which they would like to improve with the plan.

3. Participant commits to a weekly workout schedule....identifying specific days and times they will exercise. The program checks the amount and type of exercise selected to insure the final exercise pan will be safe and effective.

4. Aerobic and strength training plans. Aerobic program plan is usually 1-12 weeks based on one or more aerobic training apparatus and usage guidelines from national sources (ie. ACSM, etc.). The strength program usually uses free weights. A nice software feature allows staff to create customized aerobic and strength training plans.

Last updated: 14 February 1998
URL: http://www.indiana.edu/~sportmgt/fittext.html
Comments: cmross@indiana.edu
Copyright 1998, The Trustees of Indiana University