WITS Practical Section
3-Minute Step Test Protocol - answer Tools Needed:
12 inch step/block
metronome
stop watch
RPE scale
1. Explain the purpose of the test (to measure the client's aerobic/cardiovascular fitness
and the ability of their heart to recover after performing 3 minutes of basic step
exercise).
2. Demonstrate and explain the protocol.
3. Client will step up and down off the 12 inch block for a total of 3 minutes. One foot
steps up with the cadence, the opposite foot steps up with the cadence. One foot steps
down with the cadence, the opposite foot steps up with the cadence. Client can
alternate leading foot. Ask RPE at 1 minute, 2 minutes, and 2:30 minutes using the 1-10
RPE scale. After test is completed, have the client sit and take 1 minute HR. Let the
client know the HR and how it relates to the test (good/poor cardiovascular fitness).
4. Let client practice with metronome set at 96 bpm.
Patient completes the test or goes for as long as possible. If client experiences any
pain/shortness of breath stop the test.
Sit and Reach Test Protocol - answerTools needed:
tape measure
1. Make sure to explain the protocol and demonstrate for the client. (Purpose is to asses
lower back and hamstring flexibility.)
2. Make sure client removes shoes and let them practice.
3. Have client sit down on the ground with their legs right in front of them. Take the tape
measure and have the client spread their feet 10-12 inches apart. Take the tape
measure and line their heels up with 15 inches. Have client sit up with their back, their
legs straight out, and their feet pointed towards the sky. Once they are lined up
correctly, have client fold hands on top of each other and reach forward as far as
possible. Have the client hold their stretch for 1-2 seconds. This should be done 3 times
and take the best effort. Tell them the result and what it means.
Client performs this test to the best of their ability. Do not perform test if client is not
able.
Push-Up Test Protocol - answerTools Needed:
None
1. Make sure to explain and demonstrate the protocol.
2. Make sure to let client practice before starting the test.
, 3. Have client decide if they want to do modified or regular push-ups. Have them get in
position with their hands shoulder width apart. Make sure their body goes all the way to
the ground and complete as many push-ups as possible.
4. Protocol is over whenever client is fatigued or breaks proper form.
5. Make sure to count out loud for the client.
6. Tell the client that this an assessment of upper body strength and endurance.
7. Tell client the number of push ups they completed and tell them you will keep their
data and reassess in a few months.
Abdominal Curl Up Test Protocol - answerTools Needed:
measuring tape
tape
stop watch
metronome (50 bpm)
1. Make sure to explain and demonstrate the protocol.
2. Tell them the purpose of this test is to assess abdominal strength and endurance.
3. Let client practice with the metronome set at 50 bpm.
4. Take four pieces of tape and place them 10 cm apart. Have client lay down with their
legs bent and fingertips at the first set of tape. When curling up, the clients fingertips
should reach the second set of tape. Client will need to see how many curl ups they can
complete in a minute.
5. Client needs to keep proper form and stay with the metronome. If client loses form or
is off metronome, stop the test.
6. Make sure to count out loud for client.
YMCA Bench Press Test - answerTools Needed:
Metronome (60 bpm)
Bench press station
35 lb bar for women
80 lb bar for men
(bar + plate is total weight)
1. The purpose of this assessment is to measure upper body strength and endurance.
2. Explain and demonstrate procedure.
3. The subject begins in the down position with the bar touching the chest, grip at
shoulder width.
4. On beat one, fully extend elbows to the up position. On beat two, lower the barbell
until it touches the chest.
5. Terminate the test if the client can no longer stay on beat with good form.
6. Record the total number of clean reps.
7. Refer to the YMCA Bench Press Norms form.
Thomas Test - answerTools needed:
none
1. The purpose of this assessment is to measure hip flexor tightness.
2. Explain and demonstrate.
3. Lie in supine position, both knees extended, arms at side.
3-Minute Step Test Protocol - answer Tools Needed:
12 inch step/block
metronome
stop watch
RPE scale
1. Explain the purpose of the test (to measure the client's aerobic/cardiovascular fitness
and the ability of their heart to recover after performing 3 minutes of basic step
exercise).
2. Demonstrate and explain the protocol.
3. Client will step up and down off the 12 inch block for a total of 3 minutes. One foot
steps up with the cadence, the opposite foot steps up with the cadence. One foot steps
down with the cadence, the opposite foot steps up with the cadence. Client can
alternate leading foot. Ask RPE at 1 minute, 2 minutes, and 2:30 minutes using the 1-10
RPE scale. After test is completed, have the client sit and take 1 minute HR. Let the
client know the HR and how it relates to the test (good/poor cardiovascular fitness).
4. Let client practice with metronome set at 96 bpm.
Patient completes the test or goes for as long as possible. If client experiences any
pain/shortness of breath stop the test.
Sit and Reach Test Protocol - answerTools needed:
tape measure
1. Make sure to explain the protocol and demonstrate for the client. (Purpose is to asses
lower back and hamstring flexibility.)
2. Make sure client removes shoes and let them practice.
3. Have client sit down on the ground with their legs right in front of them. Take the tape
measure and have the client spread their feet 10-12 inches apart. Take the tape
measure and line their heels up with 15 inches. Have client sit up with their back, their
legs straight out, and their feet pointed towards the sky. Once they are lined up
correctly, have client fold hands on top of each other and reach forward as far as
possible. Have the client hold their stretch for 1-2 seconds. This should be done 3 times
and take the best effort. Tell them the result and what it means.
Client performs this test to the best of their ability. Do not perform test if client is not
able.
Push-Up Test Protocol - answerTools Needed:
None
1. Make sure to explain and demonstrate the protocol.
2. Make sure to let client practice before starting the test.
, 3. Have client decide if they want to do modified or regular push-ups. Have them get in
position with their hands shoulder width apart. Make sure their body goes all the way to
the ground and complete as many push-ups as possible.
4. Protocol is over whenever client is fatigued or breaks proper form.
5. Make sure to count out loud for the client.
6. Tell the client that this an assessment of upper body strength and endurance.
7. Tell client the number of push ups they completed and tell them you will keep their
data and reassess in a few months.
Abdominal Curl Up Test Protocol - answerTools Needed:
measuring tape
tape
stop watch
metronome (50 bpm)
1. Make sure to explain and demonstrate the protocol.
2. Tell them the purpose of this test is to assess abdominal strength and endurance.
3. Let client practice with the metronome set at 50 bpm.
4. Take four pieces of tape and place them 10 cm apart. Have client lay down with their
legs bent and fingertips at the first set of tape. When curling up, the clients fingertips
should reach the second set of tape. Client will need to see how many curl ups they can
complete in a minute.
5. Client needs to keep proper form and stay with the metronome. If client loses form or
is off metronome, stop the test.
6. Make sure to count out loud for client.
YMCA Bench Press Test - answerTools Needed:
Metronome (60 bpm)
Bench press station
35 lb bar for women
80 lb bar for men
(bar + plate is total weight)
1. The purpose of this assessment is to measure upper body strength and endurance.
2. Explain and demonstrate procedure.
3. The subject begins in the down position with the bar touching the chest, grip at
shoulder width.
4. On beat one, fully extend elbows to the up position. On beat two, lower the barbell
until it touches the chest.
5. Terminate the test if the client can no longer stay on beat with good form.
6. Record the total number of clean reps.
7. Refer to the YMCA Bench Press Norms form.
Thomas Test - answerTools needed:
none
1. The purpose of this assessment is to measure hip flexor tightness.
2. Explain and demonstrate.
3. Lie in supine position, both knees extended, arms at side.
