The relevance of measurement of physiological and structural parameters for rehabilitation

For the past few weeks, the Physical Education Department of the University of Western Australia, in conjunction with the National Fitness Council of W.A., has undertaken the assessment of physical fitness levels of members of the public. Each person was required to produce a doctor's certificate which, among other things, stated precautions which should be catered for when prescribing an exercise programme. It was interesting to correlate the precautions written on the chart by the doctor and their interpretation by the individual. Usually the doctor's recommendation for care was interpreted by the subject to mean a distinct avoidance of any form of physical activity and served as a crutch for the abstinence of even normal household duties such as gardening or washing the car.