Scenario 4

Question 1

Explain the administration of the YMCA bench press test

Answer 1

1. use 35 pound barbell for women and 80 pound barbell for men
2. set the metronome to 60 bpm
3. allow a brief warm-up, client lies on the bench with feet flat on the floor
4. the client presses the barbell upwards to full extension of the arms or the up position
5. with each beat, the client presses the barbell to the up position or returns to the start position which represents one complete one cycle or 30 lifts per minute
6. when the client can not fully extend the arms or breaks the cadence and cannot keep up with the metronome beat, the test is terminated
7. score = total number of completed bench presses

Question 2

what is the purpose of the YMCA bench press test?

Answer 2

to determine muscular endurance and strength by counting the number of complete lifts performed to a timed sequence

Question 3

what is the proper position and procedure for the YMCA bench press test?

Answer 3

position: grasp the barbell with hands slightly wider than shoulder width and palms facing up, exhale when pushing the weight upward and inhale as the weight comes down to the chest

Question 4

explain the administration of the back extension test

Answer 4

1. have client warm up for 5-10 mins
2. have client start with hands under the shoulders
3. have client pushup and extend as far as possible (do not use lower back muscles)
4. pelvis must stay on floor (anterior superior iliac spine)
5. measure distance from suprasternal notch straight down to the floor
6. record in cm (repeat 2-3 times for accuracy)

Question 5

what is the purpose of the back extension test?

Answer 5

to assess spinal extension (normal movement of spine) in order to compare to normative data

Question 6

what is 1 precaution with these tests

Answer 6

should rule out those with low back pain

Question 7

2 strengths and 2 weaknesses

Answer 7

strengths: cheap and easy to administer
weaknesses: not good for low back pain, not one single test to determine total body flexibility or muscular strength

Question 8

5 reasons why these test are useful

Answer 8

1. baseline
2. basis for designing individualized training programs
3. show clients progression
4. determine weaknesses
5. provide feedback