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The REAL Test for Physical Fitness

[Sponsored Article] A so-called “fitness” test, the Belly Button Challenge, has gone viral on social media. To act this out, one needs to twist the arm round the back to touch the belly button with the fingertip from the other side (of the arm). According to Eyckle Wong, manager for the Physiotherapy Department at Matilda International Hospital (MIH), not only is there no medical evidence to prove that such a movement can reflect the level of health and fitness, the twisting and yanking can easily cause bodily injury. The only plausible explanations that some people may be able to complete the movement could be due to a person’s comparatively supple shoulder, a longer-than-usual arm, or a thin upper arm.

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The REAL Test for Physical Fitness

[Sponsored Article]

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A so-called “fitness” test, the Belly Button Challenge, has gone viral on social media. To act this out, one needs to twist the arm round the back to touch the belly button with the fingertip from the other side (of the arm). According to Eyckle Wong, manager for the Physiotherapy Department at Matilda International Hospital (MIH), not only is there no medical evidence to prove that such a movement can reflect the level of health and fitness, the twisting and yanking can easily cause bodily injury. The only plausible explanations that some people may be able to complete the movement could be due to a person’s comparatively supple shoulder, a longer-than-usual arm, or a thin upper arm.

Proper ways to assess fitness

To perform a proper health check, health care professionals will measure a person’s weight, height, blood pressure, as well as results from blood analysis or imaging tests. In addition to a health assessment, a physical fitness assessment will provide a more scientific picture on a person’s physical fitness level.

At MIH, physiotherapists conduct and supervise the physical fitness assessments. The subject will go through different prescribed activities to measure his or her physical condition, like body composition, muscle strength and endurance, lung capacity, agility, and suppleness.
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The assessment of overall personal physical fitness is based on body composition, physical strength and endurance, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility and agility.
The assessment of overall personal physical fitness is based on body composition, physical strength and endurance, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility and agility.
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