The document discusses a holistic client assessment for senior fitness. It includes a 7-test senior fitness test that evaluates strength, aerobic endurance, flexibility, agility, and balance. The test can be easily administered in clinical or home settings. It also includes additional questions to assess a client's social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and vocational wellness. These additional questions provide insight into habits, values, interests, goals, interpretations of experiences, environment, and readiness for change. The holistic assessment allows the trainer to design effective exercise programs and make appropriate referrals to address the whole person.

1. Running head: HOLISTIC CLIENT ASSESSMENT 1
Holistic Client Assessment
Cynthia Muaau
Kaplan University Student
HW499
Professor Aaron Davis

2. Holistic Client Assessment 2
The Senior Fitness Test evaluates the functional fitness performance of older adults. It
consists of seven tests, covering lower and upper body strength, aerobic endurance, lower and
upper body flexibility, agility, and balance. The senior fitness test can be conducted with
minimal space, equipment, and technical requirements, making it easy to administer in most
clinical and community settings or in the home environment.
Administering the senior fitness test begins with an explanation of what the test is, what it
will entail, and how long it typically takes. I also allow ample time for the client to ask any
questions and go over any physical issues, challenges, injuries, or illness they are currently or
have experienced in the past. I let the client know that we are here to help them become aware
of ways to delay physical frailty and improve functional mobility. These are two of the most
important goals of the senior fitness instructor. Assessing the functional fitness performance of
older adults is an essential element in designing effective exercise programs for older adults.
Below is a sample of the Senior Fitness Test, Reikle & Jones (2001).
CHAIR STAND
Purpose and Daily Benefit: The purpose of the Chair Stand is to measure the strength of your
lower body. Lower body strength is important for activities such as getting out of a chair, on
the bus, out of the car, and rising up from a kneeling position in the house or garden. The
strength of your lower body can directly affect the ease with which you perform the activities
you do every day.
ARM CURL
Purpose and Daily Benefit: The purpose of the Arm Curl is to measure the strength of your

3. Holistic Client Assessment 3
upper body. Upper body strength is important for activities such as carrying laundry,
groceries, and luggage. It is also important for picking up grandchildren and giving them a big
hug! A lack of upper body strength could keep you from pouring milk from a jug, being able to
go grocery shopping for yourself and maintaining your independence.
TWO-MINUTE STEP TEST
Purpose and Daily Benefit: The purpose of the Two‐ Minute Step Test is to measure your
endurance or physical stamina. Endurance is important for activities such as shopping,
walking for a distance, and traveling. The more physical stamina you have, the more energy
you will have to do the things you enjoy. You will also be able to do more with less fatigue.
Your endurance affects your ability to perform many of your daily activities and to maintain
your independence.
CHAIR SIT AND REACH
Purpose and Daily Benefit: The purpose of the Chair Sit and Reach test is to measure your
lower body flexibility, specifically your hamstring flexibility. Lower body flexibility is important
for preventing lower back pain. It also plays a role in your balance, posture, in fall prevention,
and in your gait, or walking. Lower body flexibility is important for maintaining an active,
independent lifestyle.
UP AND GO
Purpose and Daily Benefit: The purpose of the Up and Go test is to measure your speed,
agility and balance. These are important for activities such as walking through crowds, moving
in unfamiliar environments and across changing terrain, and crossing the street before the

4. Holistic Client Assessment 4
light changes. The better your balance is, the more confident you will be traveling outside
your home and living an active life. Your speed and balance directly affect your self‐ assurance
as you go about your daily activities.
BACK SCRATCH TEST Purpose and Daily Benefit: The Back Scratch Test is a measure of
flexibility of your upper body. Upper body flexibility affects your ability to reach for items that
may be high on a shelf, change a light bulb, or do any activity that requires arm and/or shoulder
movement. Maintaining flexibility in your upper body will assist you in continuing to live
independently.
This test reveals valuable insight into a clients physical fitness level and provides the
opportunity to set measurable goals with regard to their functional fitness and continued ability
to perform activities of daily living. The senior fitness test allows the fitness trainer to determine
the frequency, intensity, time, and type of exercise that is needed for the individual client.
In addition to the physical assessment of wellness I have developed a set of questions that
lends me greater insight into the clients social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and vocational
states of wellness. This insight gives me the opportunity to make the appropriate referrals and
gives me a better understanding of the needs of the whole person. Assessing ones physical
wellness is just a piece of the puzzle, as deficiencies in other areas create an imbalance that can
manifest as physical illness and injury.
Below is a list of the other questions that I have incorporated into my client’s
assessments.

5. Holistic Client Assessment 5
1. What experiences/people bring you joy?
This question is pertinent to the spiritual and psychological welfare of my client because joy is
more than just an intermission from sadness and pain. Joy gives you the courage and strength to
find new sources of meaning and hope in life. Even in the most difficult times, a laugh or even a
smile can make one feel better. “Joy is what gets us through challenges and allows light in to
illuminate the shadows.” (Fox, 2013). This question will engage the client in self-reflection on
those things that bring them joy and ways in which they may be able to create a more joyous
existence.
2. Does having a spiritual life/practice play a significant role in your life? In
what way?
This question is pertinent to the spiritual and psychological growth of my client because studies
show that engaging in a spiritual practice such as meditation, prayer, yoga or journaling can
increase compassion, empathy, and attention, as well as quiet the mind. (University of
Minnesota, 2013). This question will facilitate further self-reflection regarding what a spiritual
practice may look like to them and how one can begin to exercise a spiritual practice.
3. What does service to others mean to you? Do you actively serve in any
capacity?
I included this question because it is in service to others that the emphasis on self is diminished
or halted completely. Service to others often reshapes or redirects people's values, perspectives,
and even their life goals for many; it spurs new growth, both spiritually and psychologically.

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(LaBier, 2010). This question allows clients to reflect on their own service to others and
inventory ways that they can be of service. This will give the client an opportunity to
contemplate ways in which they may improve on this aspect of their lives.
4. If you feel that you have been violated in some way, are you able to forgive
the transgression or do you hold a grudge?
This question has great relevance to the spiritual and psychological wellness of a client and
encourages self-reflection on those negative and unresolved issues that one may be holding on
to. These issues of unforgiveness may be having a negative effect on their spiritual, physical,
and psychological growth and development. By embracing forgiveness, one can also embrace
peace, hope, gratitude and joy. Reflecting on how forgiveness can lead one down the path of
physical, emotional and spiritual well being will assist the client in further development of
spiritual and psychological wellness. (Mayo Clinic, 2014).
4. Do you have issues in your life that you have no control over? What are
they? How do you cope?
I included this question due to its relevance in prompting a client to self reflect on the way in
which they view control in their life. “When we dwell on what is out of our control, whether
something that happened to us in the past, or something we’re awaiting in the future, it prevents
us from experiencing the beauty in the moment and having peace of mind.” (Joe, 2011). This
question will allow the client to see what they may be missing when they are dwelling on things
out of their control.

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6. Do you consume a variety of healthy foods rich in protein, fiber, and calcium
everyday such as white meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, soy protein? How is
your appetite?
This question is included as it provides insight into my client’s relationship with food and gives
me a peek into their dietary preferences. It opens the door for us to have a discussion regarding
the importance of nutrition as a healing tool in the quest for whole person wellness.
7. What are your strategies for coping with stress?
The answer to this question will allow me to explain some strategies that can be incorporated
into the client’s life that can effectively control stress. These strategies include proper dietary
consideration, increased physical activity, and improved sleeping habits, yoga, and meditation.
8. How are you sleeping?
Sleep is as important to ones health as eating, drinking, and breathing. Sleep allows our bodies
to repair and our brains to recharge and process information more effectively. Poor sleep
hygiene can increase stress, disturb our mood, impair our ability to concentrate, and heighten our
risk for long-term health effects. This question will open up a dialogue with the client regarding
their sleep habits and can provide insight into how it can be impacting the client in other areas of
wellness.
These questions reveal an individuals habits, personal values, interests, skills, short term
goals, long term goals, interpretation of past experiences, physical environment, social
environment, and readiness for change.

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Reference
Fox, Mei Mei (2013). 40 Ways to Find Joy in Your Everyday Life. Retrieved from
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/meimei-fox/happiness-tips_b_2405608.html
Joe (2011). Free Yourself By “Letting Go” of What You Can’t Control. Retrieved from
shakeoffthegrind.com/emotional-health/free-yourself-by-letting-go-of-what-you-cant-
control
LaBier, Douglas, PhD (2010). Does Volunteering Your Time Really Help Anyone? Retrieved
from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-new-resilience/201011/does-
volunteering-your-time-really-help-anyone
Mayo Clinic (2014). Forgiveness: Letting go of grudges and bitterness. Retrieved from
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/forgiveness/art-
20047692
O’Neil, Patrick (2007). What is sacred? The relationship of all living things. Retrieved from
http://www.uuworld.org/articles/what-is-sacred%3F
Rikli, R. E., & Jones, C. J. (2013). Senior fitness test manual. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Pages 19-22
Richards, Scott, P. (n.d.). Discerning Patient Needs: Spiritual Assessment Perspectives for
Health Care Chaplains. Retrieved from
https://www.healthcarechaplaincy.org/docs/publications/sri/pb_discerning_patient_needs

9. Holistic Client Assessment 9
Reference (Cont.)
_spiritual_assessment.pdf
Seaward, Brian Luke. Health of the Human Spirit: Spiritual Dimensions for Personal Health,
2nd Edition. Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2012. VitalBook file. Retrieved from
http://online.vitalsource.com/books/9781284090444/outline/9
Tolle, Eckhart, (2014). Eckhart Tolle, 'A New Earth' Author, Shares A Simple Exercise To
Uncover Inner Peace. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/09/find-
inner-peace-eckhart-tolle-a-new-earth_n_5291131.html
University of Minnesota (2013). Why Is Spirituality Important? Retrieved from
http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/enhance-your-wellbeing/purpose/spirituality/why-
spirituality-important