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.
[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.
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.
Intensity of activity decided by age and individual health condition
A strong body requires a normal weight and muscle strength, and the ability to sustain an activity for a period of time (endurance). In daily life, it is easy to train ourselves to attain a stronger body, such as walking, jogging, or taking up other medium intensity aerobic activities.
The commitment to clock up at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week and to maintain a balanced diet is already going a long way to keeping diseases at bay, whilst an annual health assessment programme helps measure health status, and manage risks early.