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Physical Assessment Resources

Physical assessments are beneficial for gauging how healthy you are. When you visit your doctor, you may be met with a variety of physical assessment resources to check your weight, height, blood pressure and heart rate. However, you don't need to wait until your annual exam to keep your health in check. Physical assessment resources are available to those who wish to monitor their health all year round.

  1. Weight

    • Maintaining a healthy weight is important for good health and feeling physically well. You can use a scale as a physical assessment resource in the privacy of your own home, at the doctor's office or at your community gym to stay on track with your mission to drop or gain pounds, or maintain the same weight. Using a scale requires you to keep a written log of your previous weights so you can track your progress.

    Measurements

    • Taking measurements of your bust, chest, waist, hips, quads and biceps is an effective way to stay on top of your physical well being. Measurements let you know whether you've gained or lost fat or muscle, which speaks to your physical health in the context of your personal health goals and medical conditions. Putting on an inch of muscle may be considered healthy, whereas losing inches might be considered unhealthy if your goal is to put on weight.

    6-Minute Walk Distance Test

    • The 6-Minute Walk Distance Test is performed in medical centers and gyms to test your ability to walk for six minutes on a flat walking surface, such as a treadmill. The test checks your heart rate as well as other body responses, such as muscle metabolism and peripheral circulation. The data collected is checked against averages that signify good health based on age, height, weight and gender. If the test results reveal you're out of shape, you can modify your workout regimen and diet accordingly.

    Questionnaire

    • Health questionnaires are often used as physical assessment resources. Questionnaires collect personal health and fitness information, such as what types of medical conditions you have, whether you've had surgeries, how often you drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes, how often you exercise, how much caffeine you consume and what medications or vitamins you currently take. From the information that's gathered, a professional can formulate an assessment about your overall health, and tailor a medical or fitness plan accordingly.

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