Peyton, a 77-year-old man, underwent a physical fitness evaluation which found his lower body strength, aerobic endurance, upper body strength, lower body flexibility, and motor agility/dynamic balance to be in the lowest percentiles compared to other men his age. He has had numerous health issues in recent years including falls, infections, heart failure, and strokes. The evaluation showed that a lack of physical activity over his lifetime likely contributed to his current poor physical fitness and health problems.

1. Senior Physical Fitness Test
An Evaluation of Peyton (February 2011)
Marisa Schuller
KINS 5603
March 3, 2011

2. Figure 1. Peyton
Physical Fitness Evaluation
A physical fitness evaluation was performed on my 77-year-old father Peyton (see Figure 1) using the SilverHearts Fitness
Assessment (n.d.). Since May 2010, Peyton has had numerous health issues including several falls that have resulted in broken bones,
numerous infections, congestive heart failure, the implantation of a pacemaker, and an unknown number of strokes. In the nine months
since his original fall, Peyton has visited the hospital monthly with afore mentioned health conditions. Subsequent to each hospital
stay, his physical strength and flexibility declines. Prior to 2010, he had a triple bypass surgery (1996) and several stints (2003).
Peyton has also been diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes.
When asked about the physical activity his parents participated in, Peyton expressed that neither parent took part in sports or
exercise. However, Peyton stated that he played “neighborhood” softball and enjoyed weight-lifting when he was in high school and

3. college. In the transition from the teen years to adulthood; school, work and family became excuses for Peyton not to participate in
physical activity. Recently, he his physical activity has been comprised of short walks and the exercises prescribed to him by his
physical therapist. The physical therapy exercises include range of motion and strength building exercises. Peyton has a daytime
caretaker who has been trained by the physical therapist. The caretaker stated that Peyton often does not want to perform the exercises
but is motivated to go on walks.
Peyton was asked what the most difficult aspect of aging is related to physical ability. His answer was the lack of flexibility.
Flexibility was also his answer to what type of exercise he would like to be able to do. He was further questioned about how he could
accomplish the goal of having more flexibility. To this, he answered that he would like to take yoga to loosen his muscles. The
barriers he perceives to achieving this goal are the falls he has sustained and not taking the time to exercise. When asked what he
would tell individuals younger than him or if he could give advice to his younger self regarding physical activity and again, Peyton’s
advice was to set up a physical activity program and to stick to it.

4. Figure 2 Performing the “Back Scratch”
Results of the Silverhearts Fitness Assessment
When compared with other men in his age range (75-79 years), Peyton scored 25% in lower body strength (see Figures 3 and
4). He was at 10% and below for aerobic endurance. He scored 10% during the 6 min walk using a cane only (see Figure 5) and <10%
when using his walker. The difference between his score on the 6 min walk using his cane (464 ft) and using his walker (324 ft) may be
explained with two reasons. The cane walk was first and Peyton was aware of being tested and timed. Because of compromised balance, he needed
assistance in walking. Even with help, he almost fell five times. With the motivation and assistance,Peyton was able to move faster. The next day,
he went for a walk using his walker. Unknown to him, he was timed and his distance was measured. Not being aware of the test may account for
why he moved slower even with better assistance (the walker). He performed <10% in upper body strength, lower body flexibility and motor
agility/dynamic balance. He was able to hold the “feet side by side” and “semi-tightrope stance” positions for 10 seconds resulting in a passing
status. He was unable to hold the “tightrope stance” position for more than 3 seconds without losing balance. This resulted in a failing status for
the third balance position.

5. Figures 3 and 4 Performing 30 second chair stand
Newell’s Model
Figure 5 Newell’s Model of Physical Activity
When relating this model to Peyton’s physical activity, the following can be observed:

6. Individual Constraints:
 Structural – Peyton is slightly below average in height and weight. The majority of the men in his family have died from
heart-related difficulties
 Functional – He has enjoyed softball and weight lifting in his younger years. However, as he has aged, external factors
became excuses to keep from participating in physical activity. These include school (high school, college), work and family.
Task Constraints: As a young man, Peyton had access to the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and had a set of weights
at home. He has lived in Houston since he was 14 and had access to the many parks and recreational facilities that Houston has. He
lived near his middle and high schools and walked to school. He had a paper route for a short period of time in which he used his
bicycle to deliver the newspapers.
Environmental Constraints:
 Physical – Over the past 15 years, Peyton has had numerous health issues that have resulted in limited physical ability. With
each stay in the hospital, his strength diminishes. Due to his heart problems, his endurance is very low. At the same time,
Peyton does not participate in many activities that will help to build back his endurance.
 Sociocultural – Growing up, Peyton spent a lot of time outside. The culture was different in that television was not broadcast
24 hours a day and children were encouraged to play outside the home. During the depression and World War II, many

7. necessities were rationed. This affected the eating habits of families (Victory Gardens, limited “bad foods”). Peyton also grew
up with the idea of not wasting food and as a result, not putting more on your plate than you thought you could eat.
Conclusion
Peyton’s physical fitness skills are the lower percentile when compared to men in the same age group. This could be a result of
limited physical fitness from early adulthood to the present. Because of a lack of physical activity, his health has suffered and that, in
turn, has resulted in limited ability to perform physical activities. Peyton has a family history of heart disease which could have acted
as a motivator for physical activity. Additionally, moderate exercise could benefit him in regards to the comorbid conditions of high
blood pressure and diabetes (Foss & Keteyian, 1998). Instead, he has used and continues to use excuses to engaging in physical
activity. Peyton may benefit from an exercise class that makes fitness enjoyable as fun has been cited as a strong motivator for older
adults to participate in physical activity (Haywood & Getchell, 2009).
He has lived in a large city for the majority of his life. There are numerous gyms and fitness centers as well as city parks and
recreation centers. He also spent a great deal of time outside growing up. While he began a good physical activity routine as a
teenager, he did not continue to exercise once school, work and family obligations became too great. Yet, at the times his life became
the most stressful, he could have benefited the most from physical activity (Lavay, French, & Henderson, 2006).

8. Peyton’s current physical fitness is a direct product of limited physical activity for the past 55 years. This has caused a circular
problem for him. Because he did not keep physically active throughout life, he has suffered from health problems that could have been
largely avoided. It is more difficult for Peyton to move and balance due to the numerous health problems and he is unable to get
stronger. Because he cannot get stronger, he is having difficulty staying healthy. Peyton’s situation demonstrates the necessity of
remaining active throughout life to make the inevitable aging process less traumatic. In his own words “set up a program and stick to
it.” The challenge to Peyton is to see that it is not too late in his life to set up a program and follow through with it. This would best be
accomplished by Peyton deciding what activities he likes and is willing to perform on a regular basis (Lockette & Keyes, 1994).
Figure 5 Performing the 6 min walk
References:

9. Foss, M.L. & Keteyian, S.J. (1998). Fox’s Physiological Basis for Exercise and Sport (6th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill.
Haywood, K. & Getchell, N. (2009). Life Span Motor Development (5th ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Lavay, B.W., French, R., & Henderson, H.L. (2006). Positive Behavior Management in Physical Activity Settings (2nd ed.).
Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Lockette, K.F. & Keyes, A.M. (1994). Conditioning with Physical Disabilities. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Appendix A:
Questions created by author used in the paper:
 What is the most difficult aspect of aging in regards to physical ability?

10.  What kind of exercises would you like to be able to do?
 What is keeping you from accomplishing that goal?
 What physical activities did you enjoy as a child?
 In what physical activities did your parents participate?
 Do you have any advice for people younger than you as it relates to physical activity?
 What advice would you give yourself as a youngster regarding physical activity if you could?
Appendix B: SilverHearts Fitness Assessment (results for Peyton)
Assessment Results Comments
Lower Body Strength:
30 Second Chair Stand: You will attempt to stand up from a seated position as
many times as possible within 30 seconds. Although we ask that you try to do this
with your arms folded across your chest,you can do it supported if necessary. 12 (25%)
Did not sit all the way down before rising back
up.
Upper Body Strength:
Arm Curls: While holding a weight (5 pounds for women and 8 pounds for men),
you will be asked to perform as many biceps curls as possible within a 30 second
time period.
9 (<10%) Form suffered as test continued.
Lower Body Flexibility:
Chair Sit and Reach: From a sitting position at the front of the chair, you will be -15
inches

11. asked to reach towards your toes as one of your legs is extended in front of you.
You will reach with the arm that is on the same side of the body as the extended leg.
(<10%) Has difficulty keeping legs straight.
Upper Body Flexibility:
Back Scratch: One arm will reach over your shoulder while bending at the elbow.
The other arm will reach from underneath with the hand up the middle of the back.
You are attempting to get the two hands as close as possible.
-8 inches
(<10%)
He could not stand up straight while his arms
were behind him in this position.
Motor Agility/Dynamic Balance:
8 Foot Up and Go: You will be asked to raise from a seated position, walk
around a traffic cone, walk back to the chair, and seat yourself as quickly as
possible.
:16.85
(<10%)
Focused more on telling the assessor to stop the
stopwatch rather than focusing on finishing the
task (sitting).
Balance:
Balance Test(s):You will be asked to hold your feet in three different positions for
up to 10 seconds each. Your arms can be held out or at your sides. If at all possible,
try standing in each position without holding on to anything.
Position 1: Ft side by side x x
x
Position 2: Semi-tightrope position x
x
Position 3: Tightrope stance x
Position
1: Pass
Position
2: Pass
Position
3: Fail
When attempting Position 3 (Tightrope Stance),
he was unable to keep his balance for more than
three seconds. He kept trying the position
regardless of needing help to keep from falling.
Aerobic Endurance:
6 Min Walk: You will walk around the track as much as possible within
a six min time period. We will help you keep track of and record the
Cane:
464 ft
(10%)
Using cane:unable to stand up straight. Almost
fell four times. Walked with assistance for
Using walker: had to stop after three mins to rest

12. distance. Walker:
324
(<10%)
before starting up again.