Introduction to Module 7

"While the thought of working with special populations may seem overwhelming or out of your reach, chances are, you’re already working with them."—Jeff Young, C.S.C.S., ACSM-EIM, author of Concepts in Medical Fitness

Approximately 50% of adults in the U.S. suffer from joint pain, chronic disease, or disability (Young, 2018). "Special Populations" were once the exception. Now, they are now the norm. As a personal trainer, it is essential to have the knowledge and skills to work with these individuals.

In this module, we will be studying the considerations and guidelines for training individuals with CVD, Hypertension, Stroke, PVD, Dyslipidemia, Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, and Asthma. Next week, we will look at Cancer, Osteoporosis, Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, CFS, Low Back Pain, and Obesity. We will explore the concept of "medical fitness," learn about the Exercise is Medicine initiative, and consider how best to integrate fitness with healthcare.

Medical fitness is not just for older adults. Disease, injury, and disability can affect anyone at any age. However, the aging population does constitute the majority of individuals who need help transitioning from medical care/physical therapy to a regular exercise program. Since chronic conditions are more accurately diseases of inactivity, poor dietary habits, and excess body fat (than aging), they are somewhat reversible through exercise and diet.

Exercise is Medicine (EIM) was established in 2007 by the American College of Sports Medicine "to inform and educate physicians and other health care providers about exercise as well as bridge the widening gap between health care and health fitness (ACSM, 2020)." Physicians have many competing demands at the point of care, which often translates into limited time counseling patients, especially on the benefits of exercise.

The consistent message from all health care providers should be to start or to continue a regular exercise program, but the EIM initiative has not found great success to date. Why do you think it has failed? Do healthcare providers have an "ethical obligation" to assess the exercise habits of their patients, inform them of the risk of being sedentary, and offer an exercise prescription? If exercise is an effective "medication," is malpractice not to prescribe it? We will explore these questions and more.

Exercise as a "medicine" is not a new message. According to Hypocrites (5th c. BCE):

"Eating alone will not keep a man well he must also take exercise for food and exercise work together to produce health."—Hypocrites

These people are doing a traditional form of Chinese exercise in a Beijing park, 2008. (Reuters/Grace Liang)

Module-level Objectives

As a result of the instruction in this module, students will be able to:

Identify the benefits of exercise for individuals with chronic health considerations and disease.
Design appropriate exercise and strength training programs for individuals with CVD, Hypertension, Stroke, PVD, Dyslipidemia, Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome, & Asthma.
Review the Exercise is Medicine (EIM) initiative and consider the impact of medical fitness.

To Do

All activities in this module are required unless otherwise noted. If you have questions or ideas, prior to contacting the instructor, please post to the FAQ Discussion. Complete the following:

View the Presentation: ACE—Exercise & Special Populations (Part 1).
Read PA Guidelines Chapter 6: Additional Considerations for Some Adults (skip Pregnancy, focus on Hypertension & Diabetes).
View the Presentation: Working with Special Populations—Part 1: Strength training (CVD, Stroke, & Diabetes only). Slides 1-10 & 26-30
View the Presentation: ACSM—Exercise is Medicine: The Importance of Connecting Fitness & Healthcare.
Read the article: Medical Fitness—Is it the Wave of the Future?
Participate in the Discussion: Exercise is Medicine!
Take the Module 7 Quiz.

Readings

The following text-based resources have been selected to support your success on course assignments and to meet the objectives for this module.

Medical Fitness: Is it the Wave of the Future?

Instructional Materials

These instructional materials are designed to support your success on course assignments and in meeting the objectives for this module.

Presentations:

ACE Special Populations (Part 1) Spring 2024.pptx

Working with Special Populations—Part 1 Strength training (CVD, Stroke, & Diabetes only).pptx

Media:

Exercise is Medicine®: The Importance of Connecting Fitness with HealthcareLinks to an external site.

Notes:

Assignments

Complete the following assignments by the date and time indicated on each assignment page.

Select the Next ▶ button to proceed.