A survey of health-fitness evaluation centers

Twenty-three medically oriented private health-fitness evaluation centers in the United States were surveyed to determine the types of tests available, protocols used, the availability of exercise prescriptions, qualifications of employees, and facility use. All centers administered an electrocardiogram exercise tolerance test, but great variability existed with regard to the number and type of other tests given and services available. Questions in the survey explored the availability of cardiovascular, pulmonary function, musculoskeletal, body composition, and lifestyle evaluations. Some centers were restricted to testing solely for cardiovascular function, while others were complete wellness centers. The centers had a range of 8 to 325 patrons per month, and in general, they tested more men than women.