title: Health-related physical fitness assessment in a community-based cancer rehabilitation setting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Assessment of physical fitness is important in order to set goals, appropriately prescribe exercise, and monitor change over time. This study aimed to determine the utility of a standardized physical fitness assessment for use in cancer-specific, community-based exercise programs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tests anticipated to be feasible and suitable for a community setting and a wide range of ages and physical function were chosen to measure body composition, aerobic fitness, strength, flexibility, and balance. Cancer Exercise Trainers/Specialists at cancer-specific, community-based exercise programs assessed new clients (n = 60) at enrollment, designed individualized exercise programs, and then performed a re-assessment 3-6 months later (n = 34).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Resting heart rate, blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, handgrip strength, chair stands, sit-and-reach, back scratch, single-leg standing, and timed up-and-go tests were considered suitable and feasible tests/measures, as they were performed in most (≥88 %) participants. The ability to capture change was also noted for resting blood pressure (-7/-5 mmHg, p = 0.02), chair stands (+4, p < 0.01), handgrip strength (+2 kg, p < 0.01), and sit-and-reach (+3 cm, p = 0.03). While the submaximal treadmill test captured a meaningful improvement in aerobic fitness (+62 s, p = 0.17), it was not completed in 33 % of participants. Change in mobility, using the timed up-and-go was nominal and was not performed in 27 %.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Submaximal treadmill testing, handgrip dynamometry, chair stands, and sit-and-reach tests were feasible, suitable, and provided meaningful physical fitness information in a cancer-specific, community-based, exercise program setting. However, a shorter treadmill protocol and more sensitive balance and upper body flexibility tests should be investigated.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Sciences, University of British Columbia, 212-2177 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z3.
authors.forename: Amy A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kirkham
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Neil-Sztramko
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hodson
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weller
authors.forename: Tasha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: McRae
authors.forename: Kristin L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities