Physical fitness is the basic foundation of people’s life and work. As the living standard improves, the concept that “Free of Disease means healthy” is gradually outdated. “Improved physical fitness, possession of a healthy and well-built physique as well as quality life” are the real objectives of the public.To these ends, participating in sport is a good approach to reach these goals. Therefore, in order for Macao citizens to understand their own physical conditions and subsequently to take part in sport more actively and scientifically, the Citizens’ Physical Fitness Monitoring Center under the Macao Sport Development Board Sports Medical Center provides routine physical fitness test and assessment services for the citizens. At the same time, the Center performs physical fitness monitoring study periodically in order to establish a physical fitness database on Macao citizens, to grasp the physical fitness status and changing trends of the citizens, to provide references for formulation of sport policies, and to continuously promote physical exercise for all.
1. Routine Physical Fitness Monitoring and Assessment Service
As the four major factors that affect physical fitness include cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body fat percentage, the routine physical fitness monitoring and assessment service provides tests mainly on these four aspects. The service covers more than a dozen of test items such as height, weight, resting heart rate, blood pressure, body composition analysis, vital capacity, step test, grip strength, vertical jump, sit and reach, and one foot stands with eyes closed. In addition, in consideration of the seriousness of osteoporotic fracture on the elders and the need to raise citizens’ awareness on osteoporosis, the test also includes ultrasound bone density measuring the heel bones, enabling citizens to understand their bone density. After the test, participants will get an immediate individualized assessment report as well as advice and guidance on exercise. Since September 2002, the Center provides service during office hours to citizens with bookings and an average of approximately 1,000 citizens have been tested each year.
2. Regular or Intermittent Outdoor Monitoring Activities
In order to introduce the physical fitness service to Macao citizens, the Center also establishes services on annual World Challenge Day organized by the Macao Sport Development Board to provide physical fitness test for citizens and distribute leaflets to promote its routine services. Meanwhile, the Center also holds intermittent outdoor test activities every year. For example, it held the Health and Water Carnival at the Leal Senado Square on November 30th, 2002 upon invitation of the Water Supply Company; and the International Women’s Day Women’s Health Test at the site of the Women’s General Association of Macao on March 21st and 22nd in 2003 upon invitation of the said organization. Besides, in order to further promote its services and the importance of physical fitness, the Center provided physical fitness tests for citizens on Macao Elderly Sports Day for the past two years and Macao Sports Day for the Disabled which was recently held in April this year. In addition to these, physical fitness plans were commenced in 2008 and 2009 for “Sport for All Fitness and Recreational Classes” and “Health Consultation Service Point” respectively. Physical fitness tests were provided to participants of the above activities, out-reaching to exercise enthusiasts and citizens every Sunday morning at different sport venues such as Guia Hill Fitness Trail, Camões Garden and Dr. Sun Yat Sen Municipal Park. All these activities aim to include the element of physical fitness test into sport for all and enable citizens to understand their physical fitness conditions while exercising in order to experience the pleasure and benefit the most from sport.
3. Macao Citizens’ Physical Fitness Monitoring Study Conducted Once Every Five Years
The data obtained from the routine and outdoor tests are mainly used to reflect the physical fitness conditions of the tested subjects and to give guidance to their physical exercise.Through the once every five years Physical Fitness Monitoring Study including the first study in 2005 and the second study in 2010 for Macao citizens from age 3 to 69 , 10,477 and 10,326 valid samples were collected respectively. After analyzing the data, “2005 Physical Fitness Report of Macao SAR Citizens” was published. The 2010 monitoring data will soon be released through the publication of “2010 Physical Fitness Report of Macao SAR Citizens”.
4. Conclusions
Whether in the form of routine test, regular or intermittent outdoor tests, or physical fitness monitoring study conducted once every five years, physical fitness monitoring and assessment aim at obtaining relevant data to guide citizens’ physical exercises and to improve citizens’ physical fitness. Apart from the outdoor tests and the once-every-five-year monitoring activities, interested citizens can call the Sports Medical Center to make appointment for the routine physical fitness test. Those with bookings will receive the test during office hours at the Center. A registration fee of MOP 20 will be charged each time.
Testing place:
Address:Floor 1-2, Ave. Dos Jardins do Oceano No.220
Telephone:28810896
Fax: 28811871
http://www.sport.gov.mo
