The inventions of Thomas Edison (light bulb, phonograph,
etc.) proved that he was the most prolific inventor of
all time, but his very wise words predicting the future
have not yet come to pass. Fitness professionals hold
the key to unlocking a wonderful future for all mankind,
but have yet to execute the knowledge, skills and
abilities they have learned to affect the parts of the
population that need the help the most. All of us in
the fitness industry must rededicate ourselves to
turning our knowledge into action, for as Mr. Edison
predicted, fitness and nutrients are the foundation of a
healthier, happier life and the cure for over 80% of the
disease, disabilities and dysfunctions that afflict the
American people.
The last two FitBits addressed the fitness needs of
pregnant women. This FitBit addresses post-partum
fitness issues. Many women will develop their initial
desires for fitness and leading a healthy lifestyle when
they discover they are pregnant and about to be
responsible for bringing new life into the world. Your
ability to safely and effectively develop exercise
programming during this phase of a womans life may be
responsible for her lifelong commitment to fitness, not
only for herself, but her family as well. The precise
knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for the IFPA
Certified Personal Fitness Trainer to manage the
pregnancy exercise prescription can be mastered through
the IFPA Womens Fitness Specialist Certification
Course.
The post-partum woman who is fit, maintained some level
of fitness through pregnancy, and able to work on
abdominals and pelvic floor muscles and are walking
easily in the first few weeks are ready to begin an
exercise regimen by week six. They should be advised to
avoid fatigue or discomfort. Personal training sessions
or specialized post-partum classes are ideal for entry
into fitness programs.
It is essential that the woman receive clearance from
her doctor before beginning an exercise program. The
doctor will check that lochia (uterus discharge) has
ceased or nearly ceased and walking a mile should not
increase flow the next day and there should be no bright
red blood.
An episiotomy should be healed sufficiently and should
present little or no discomfort and no infection. If
the woman had a Caesarean birth, the closing must be
sufficiently healed with no sign of infection. The
womans pelvic relaxation should have lessened and there
should not be any stress incontinence due to muscle
laxity. The abdominal walls muscle tone should be
sufficient to enable a pain-free tightening of the
transversus abdominus by hissing/compressing maneuver.
The doctor will re-evaluate any remaining diastasis to
determine readiness to exercise.
The doctor will also evaluate the woman for adequate
milk production (in nursing mothers). The doctor will
evaluate any diastasis recti. If diastasis recti is
present, specialized exercise and programming can be
incorporated to improve the condition. Likewise,
specialized programming will be needed in the cases of
sacroiliac dysfunction, separation of the symphysis
pubis, sciatica, broken coccyx, upper-midback and/or low
back pain, slow-healing surgical closures, cystocelle,
lower limb problems, nerve or muscle damage to the
pelvic floor due to surgery, tearing, infection or
psychological trauma and potential depression and
psychological difficulties.
Exercise prescription can play a critical role in each
of these conditions, but extreme care is required that
the fitness professional has the requisite knowledge,
skills and abilities to safely and effectively manage
this very important special population group.
Best regards,
Dr. Jim Bell
CEO, IFPA Certified Personal Fitness Trainer
______ IFPA NEWS ______
Dr. Jim Bell will be presenting at
the 5th Malaysian Conference and Exhibition
for Anti-Aging and Aesthetic Medicine.
Date: May 17th-19th,
2008
Venue: Shangri-La Hotel
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
For more info:
Web:
www.saaamm.org
Email:
info@saaamm.org
IFPA Conference
in Indonesia!
The IFPA will have special events in
Indonesia in October!
October 13-15 in the incredibly
beautiful resort area of Nusa Dua, Grand Hyatt Bali,
Indonesia
October 17-19 in Jakarta, Indonesia
Not only will these events be
outstanding educational events for fitness
professionals, but Nusa Dua is truly among the most
beautiful sites in all the world. Contact the IFPA for
more information.
For more information on Indonesian
events, email:
Indonesia@ifpa-fitness.com
or call +62 21 780 2778
(International).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James
T. Bell, PhD. is the
founder and CEO of the International Fitness
Professionals Association, IFPA.
More
Books from Jim Bell, PhD.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
