Doug Feick, Author at BioEx Systems, Inc

Nutrition Assessment in 3 Easy Steps

Doug Feick — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 14:15:57 +0000

Why are nutrition assessments hard to do?

Problems with nutrition analysis

(Blog updated October 8th 2020) Determining a proper nutrition assessment can be tough. It doesn’t matter if you are a dietitian or a skilled nutritionist. The calculations are just hard. Metabolic equations are complicated. How do you figure out how good (or poor) your clients eating habits are?

What percentage of carbohydrates, fat and protein do they eat? How can you tell if a client is lacking in certain nutrients and vitamins just by looking at them? Are they getting enough selenium, potassium or vitamin B? Or are they getting too much sodium or cholesterol?

Once you do figure out what they are lacking, how do you know what foods they should be eating to get healthy? How many calories should they be eating to lose the weight they want? Without knowing this vital information in a nutrition assessment, it is almost impossible to provide a good nutrition consult.

Diet analysis can be easy

Using the right nutrition assessment tool is crucial. Not all software programs are equal in their ability to perform nutrition assessments. There is a simple solution for nutrition assessment that can be done in 3 easy steps. But be sure to use the right nutrition analysis software program. And be sure to use one that will consider age, gender, activity level and weight loss goals.

Step 1 - Obtain assessment data

Your client provide a detailed diet diary. This diary needs to be for enough time to get a good snapshot of their eating habits and food intake. This is usually three to five days. The client records every food and drink they eat and the quantity. Using Nutrition Maker, they can do it directly on their computer. For example, a breakfast diary for day one might be three eggs with one quarter ounce of ham, one ounce of cheddar cheese and eight ounces of whole milk.

Step 2 - Diet analysis

This is the best part. The software will automatically calculate the data. No math to perform. And it is fast. The nutrition program will create 3 detailed reports. The first report will show the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats and protein. The second report provides a detailed list of nutrient deficiencies and just as important, what foods contain this nutrient. The third report lists the types of excesses typically found in many diets, like cholesterol and sodium.

Step 3 - Consult with client

Now that all the work is done, the last thing is to consult with the client. Review the results of the reports. Offer suggestions and create a plan so they can improve their eating habits. The nutrition software will assist you in providing the proper meal plans. The meals plans come with recipes and complete shopping lists.

Diet analysis can be easy.

Nutrition assessment can seem like a very troubling task at first. But with the rights tools and nutrition resources, you can get your client on track to better eating and a healthy lifestyle. Simple as one, two, three.

Blog updated October 8th 2020

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5 Simple Physiologic Age Tests to Improve Your Personal Training

Doug Feick — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 16:12:10 +0000

How can Physiologic Age Tests help my business?

(blog updated 9/25/20) When you provide physiologic age tests, client motivation and retention improves. Additionally, they assist your client with setting goals. And finally, the tests help you focus your training on specific areas.

So what are physiologic age tests?

Physiologic age tests determine a client’s age based on a better or worse fitness level for their age. The age is calculated by using normative values. More detailed information on fitness test normative values can be found from a variety of sources such as the ACSM guidelines.

For example, suppose a 25 year old male does 20 sit ups and this result is average for 25 year old males. So physiologically, he is 25. Now suppose he can only do 5 sit ups and this result is average for 35 year old males. This means he is physiologically 35 years old in terms of sit ups.

One test is not enough to determine a person’s overall level of fitness. To get an overall average result, five tests are used. Following are the five tests and how they can help you work with your clients.

Total PT Fitness Assessment Desktop Software is a great tool for maintaining your client’s test results. It is affordable and comprehensive. Try our free demo.

The five tests and what they measure:

Body fat percentage: overall body fitness

VO2 – cardio fitness level

Sitting box test – flexibility

Crunch test – trunk endurance

Push up – upper body endurance

The client performs each test and physiologic age is determined for each test. Then the average determines the physiologic age. You do not need any software do determine the results. But a good personal trainer software tool can automatically calculate the score and provide clear professional reports.

Client benefits of the physiologic age tests:

ONE. Client awareness – Many people do not realize how out of condition they are. Sure, they may know they are not in top shape, which is one reason they may be coming to you in the first place. Providing them with this report, they see how it applies to their level of health and fitness. In other words, it is not just a bunch of numbers.

TWO. Motivation – Client motivation is improved as they try to lower their physiologic age score. They know which areas need improvement. It provides a clear measurable goal.

Personal trainer benefits of the physiologic age tests:

Trainer Guidance – Since it becomes very obvious where the client has issues, you can can formulate workouts designed to target those areas. For instance, suppose your client is in great shape in terms of cardiovascular fitness but is so inflexible they can’t touch their toes. In this case, you know to design a program with emphasis on stretching and range of motion.

With the knowledge you can provide your clients with custom tailored programs. And with that your clients gain extra confidence in you, knowing you are creating goal specific training.

These five tests benefit you and your client:

In conclusion, remember, using the five basic physiologic age tests, you can enhance your training, motivate clients and direct them with specific goal oriented workouts. Happy successful clients are loyal clients who keep coming back and provide referrals.

Looking for an Online program? We have that too. Use Total PT Fitness Online and access directly on the internet. Includes a free phone app for your clients. Try the free two week trial.

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Six Essential Functional Tests for Senior Adults

Doug Feick — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 14:31:18 +0000

Functional tests are essential for trainers working with adults over 55.

Why special testing?

(blog updated 8/24/2020)

Whether you are a personal trainer, or wellness professional, at some point in time you will interact with the senior adult. Fitness is typically related with the younger or middle aged adult. However, people over 55 need adequate strength, flexibility and endurance to sustain function and perform normal activities of daily life. It is not enough to just test those three things. You have to know that they can get up, take out the trash, lift bags of groceries and move about safely. Functional tests can give you those answers. Therefore, functional tests are essential for the health professional interacting with the senior adult.

How are the tests different?

The typical strength and flexibility tests used with a younger population will usually not meet the needs of the senior adult. And neither will most of the normative values associated tests. Functional tests have their own normative values and have been determined by testing many senior adults.

Delaying frailty and improving functional mobility are primary goals when working with seniors. Functional tests designed for seniors can help identify weaknesses in those areas. Then the trainer can start working on those areas before they become worse. There are many geriatric fitness resources available for geriatric population. Following are brief descriptions of six essential functional tests for senior adults that are easy to perform and require very little equipment.

Six basic functional tests.

30 second chair stand

This tests how many sit to stand and stand to sit repetitions can be done in 30 seconds. It is test of lower body strength and relates to functional activities. Activities like entering and exiting cars or going from kneeling to standing. A variation is the ten repetition chair stand.

30 second chair stand

Arm Curl

This is a test of how many arm curls (biceps curls) that can be done in 30 seconds and used an 8 pound weight for men and a 5 pound weight for women. Functionally it relates to carrying groceries, lifting grandchildren or pouring juice from a jug.

2 minute step test

This functional test determines how many times a person can step in place, alternating legs, lifting the knee to about hip height in two minutes. This is a test of endurance and stamina. Good endurance means it is easier doing things that require walking, like shopping, traveling or going to the movies. More stamina means less fatigue and more independence.

Sit and reach

While sitting on the edge of a chair with one leg straight, the senior leans forward and gets their fingers as close to the foot as possible. The distance is measured. This is a flexibility test for the hamstrings and lower back. It relates to function as a role in walking, balance and fall prevention.

8 foot up and go

This functional test begins in a sitting position. The person stands, walks 8 feet to and around cones. When finished, they return and sit in the chair. The test is timed. This measures agility, speed and balance. It relate to safely walking in crowds. Good results can give confidence and self assurance.

Back scratch

This functional test is done by having the person reach behind the back with one arm and over and behind the head with the other arm and attempting to touch the fingers of both hands together. The closer the fingers are to each other is a measure of flexibility. Good flexibility means easier dressing, and reaching overhead to gather objects from shelves.

Knowing how to implement functional tests are essential for anyone working with people over 55. The number of people in this age group continues to grow as the population continues to age. These six functional tests are just a few. There are many more. Many fitness testing software programs like Total PT Fitness will have others to choose from. Being familiar with functional tests can help guide your exercise and fitness programs for seniors, making you a more effective health professional.

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