SamFit Community Testing, a program of Samford University’s School of Health Professions, is a health, fitness and performance assessment service available to individuals in the metro Birmingham area. Faculty and students incorporate state-of-the-art laboratory equipment with the latest knowledge and research in exercise testing to help clients become healthier individuals or improved athletes.
Fitness and health assessments can be performed on individuals of all ages, fitness levels, athletic experience and musculoskeletal or functional ability. The SamFit program will help you achieve your health and fitness goals, whether the objective is wellness or athletic competition. In addition, functional testing for older adults is available to assess physical abilities in performing common daily tasks.
SamFit also provides students with the opportunity for practical, hands-on experience and advanced education in the health sciences by allowing them to apply skills and training learned in the classroom in a real-world setting.
Weight Management Assessments
Bod Pod
The Bod Pod is a quick and accurate assessment of body composition that uses air displacement technology to determine total fat and fat-free mass. This non-invasive assessment consists of sitting comfortably in the Bod Pod chamber for less than 3 minutes while your body fat percentage is calculated.
Cost: $75
(Cost for Samford employees and students $65)
iDXA
The iDXA is a simple, non-invasive 10-15 minute scan that provides a comprehensive look at your body fat, lean mass and bone mineral density. The FDA-approved equipment uses a small dose of radiation to scan your body as you lie on a table. The iDXA is one of the most accurate and precise tests available and is considered the Gold Standard for determining body composition.
Cost: $100
(Cost for Samford employees and students: $75)
Skin Fold (3-Site)
Skin fold tests involve using calipers to measure subcutaneous adipose (fat) tissue at three locations on the body (men: chest, abdomen, thigh; women: triceps, hip, thigh). The sum of the “pinches” are used to calculate percent body fat.
Cost: $20
(Cost for Samford employees and students: $10)
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)
RMR measures the amount of energy or calories you burn each day while completely at rest. This information is useful in establishing a nutrition plan for weight loss or performance goals. The protocol consists of laying comfortably on a table and resting for 45 minutes while wearing a mask and headgear.
Cost: $75
(Cost for Samford employees and students: $60)
Cardiorespiratory Fitness Assessments
VO2 Max Test
VO2 max testing is the gold standard for determining cardiorespiratory fitness and represents the body’s ability to deliver and use oxygen. The test is performed on a treadmill or bicycle with exercise intensity gradually increasing until exhaustion. The test lasts 8–15 minutes and oxygen is measured by breathing into a mouthpiece attached to a metabolic cart.
Cost: $100
(Cost for Samford employees and students: $75)
Lactate Threshold
The lactate threshold test provides information regarding the exercise intensity that an aerobic athlete can sustain for a prolonged period. The test is performed on a treadmill or bicycle with exercise intensity gradually increasing until exhaustion. Blood samples via finger prick are taken throughout the test to determine blood lactate concentration and lactate threshold.
Cost: $150
(Cost for Samford employees and students: $125)
Submaximal Tests
Submaximal tests are a method of estimating VO2 max by exercising on a treadmill or stationary bike while heart rate is monitored. While the exercise is not performed until exhaustion like a maximal test, the exercise intensity will gradually increase until a determined stopping point. Results are used to estimate aerobic fitness level and the test is designed for individuals who are currently inactive and/or those who want to become more active.
Cost: $75
(Cost for Samford employees and students: $50)
Anaerobic Fitness Assessment
Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT)
The Wingate provides information on an athlete’s anaerobic performance. The protocol consists of maximal effort cycling for 30-seconds at a high resistance. Mean and peak anaerobic power and fatigue index are assessed during the test.
Cost: $50
