It is gratifying to see so many IFPA Certified Personal Fitness Trainers aggressively pursuing the medical and health needs based client/patient.  The many questions concerning these special populations groups make it obvious that you, the professional personal trainer, are taking your responsibilities seriously.  It is imperative that the medical and fitness professional work closely together to provide the very best care for this continuously expanding group.  Regardless of whether the client/patient is motivated to prevent, or to cure, the many diseases, disabilities and dysfunctions associated with lack of exercise and poor nutrition, they will need an exercise expert to accomplish their goals.

                Exercise is good medicine, but it is up to the IFPA Certified Personal Fitness Trainer to find the correct dose.  On the one hand, everyone should accumulate a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise every day.  On the other hand, studies show that engaging in 5 hours or more of structured high-intensity activity per week can lead to overuse injuries and other negative health consequences.  This is based on observation of the same exercise TYPE (MODE) for 5 hours, not cross training.  Related studies indicate that a DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIP of expending 3,000 kcal/wk of exercise resulted in 100% improvement of major health markers such as: triglycerides, blood pressure, body composition, high-density lipoproteins, etc.  These studies indicate that non-exercisers can rejuvenate their bodies 20 years in as few as 8 weeks of exercise!  The health benefits of exercise reduce the risk of dying from virtually all factors, including the number one cause of death-heart disease-dramatically reduces the risk of developing over 60 different diseases, disabilities and dysfunctions, including diabetes, high blood pressure (HBP), various forms of cancer and more.  Exercise reduces blood pressure in people with HBP and greatly reduces feelings of depression, anxiety and stress by putting the body back in biochemical balance.  Exercise is critical in controlling body weight, building and maintaining healthy muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones and joints, and preventing osteoporosis.  Exercise is crucial in developing all 10 IFPA Components of Fitness: Strength, Speed, Power, Muscular Endurance, Aerobic Endurance, Agility, Balance, Coordination, Flexibility and Body Composition.  While all 10 IFPA Components of Fitness form a chain in optimal performance for both sexes and all age groups, there are 5 IFPA Components of Fitness most critical for our medical and health needs client/patient.  These are: Strength, Muscular Endurance, Aerobic Endurance, Flexibility and Body Composition.  These are 5 components that you and every IFPA Certified Personal Fitness Trainer, as well as the doctors you work with, will need to focus in order to prevent premature aging (the specialty of the Anti-Aging Medicine Doctor) or for the care and prevention of the major diseases, disabilities and dysfunctions that should be the concern of all doctors. 

                Before you perform any physical fitness testing, the IFPA Certified Personal Fitness Trainer will perform a comprehensive health evaluation according to the table listed below (adapted from the IFPA Advanced Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription Specialist Certification Course).

(refer to table below)

www.ifpa-fitness.com/images/FitBits/Table2-1.jpg

                The step-by-step procedures you should follow are listed below (adapted from the IFPA Advanced Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription Specialist Certification Course).

(refer to table below)

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                The absolute and relative contraindications to exercise testing are listed in the table below (adapted from the IFPA Advanced Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription Specialist Certification Course).

(refer to table below)

www.ifpa-fitness.com/images/FitBits/p-18.jpg

                It is imperative that all IFPA Personal Fitness Trainers know and be constantly vigilant for the major symptoms or signs suggestive of cardiopulmonary disease (CPD) and coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors.  These are listed in the tables below (adapted from the IFPA Personal Fitness Trainer Certification Course).

Major symptoms or signs suggestive of cardiopulmonary disease.

1. Pain in the chest or surrounding areas

2. Shortness of breath with or without mild exertion

3. Dizziness or fainting

4. Difficulty breathing when standing or sudden breathing problems during the night

5. Ankle swelling (edema)

6. Rapid throbbing or fluttering of the heart

7. Severe pain in the leg while walking (leg cramping-claudication)

8. Known heart murmur

9. Unusual fatigue or shortness of breath with usual activities

Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factors

Positive Risk Factor                 Defining Criteria

__________________________________________________________

1. Age:  Men over 45, women over 55, or women with  premature menopause without estrogen replacement therapy

__________________________________________________________

2. Family history:   MI before 55 male first degree relative, or before 65 female

__________________________________________________________                                                                         

3. Current cigarette smoker:

__________________________________________________________

4. Hypertension:  Blood pressure over 140/90 on two occasions, or on BP medication

__________________________________________________________

5. High cholesterol:  Total cholesterol > 200mg/dL or HDL < 35 mg/dL

__________________________________________________________

6. Diabetes mellitus:  Insulin dependent > 30 years old, or having insulin dependent diabetes >15 years, or persons with non-insulin dependent diabetes > 35 years

__________________________________________________________

7. Physical inactivity:  Persons with jobs requiring little physical activity and without a regular exercise program

Negative Risk Factor

__________________________________________________________

1. High serum HDL   >60 mg/dL

                You must be aware of the risk classification of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides and HDL.  Use the charts below as a guide (adapted from the IFPA Advanced Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription Specialist Certification Course).

(refer to table below)

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                You must also be aware of the normal values for selected blood variables.  Use the chart below as your guide (adapted from the IFPA Advanced Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription Specialist Certification Course).

(refer to table below)

www.ifpa-fitness.com/images/FitBits/table2-5.jpg

                Prior to performing all physical fitness testing you must first determine the disease risk classification.  Use the table provided below to determine if your client/patient is low, moderate or high risk (adapted from the IFPA Personal Fitness Trainer Certification Course).

Risk Stratification for Cardiopulmonary Disease

1. Apparently Healthy:

    Individuals who are asymptomatic and with no more than one major

    coronary risk factor

2. Increased Risk:

    Individuals with signs or symptoms suggestive of possible cardiopulmonary or Metabolic disease and/or two or more major coronary risk factors

3. Known Disease:

    Individuals with known cardiac, pulmonary or metabolic disease

                The IFPA recommends all IFPA Certified Personal Fitness Trainers follow the ACSM Guidelines listed below (adapted from the IFPA Advanced Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription Specialist Certification Course).

(refer to table below)

www.ifpa-fitness.com/images/FitBits/table2-7.jpg

___________________________________________

The IFPA is the only IACET approved organization that offers a

NOCA/NCCA accredited examination in the fitness industry. It is a demanding certification. The challenges of successfully completing the exam are essential to ensure the safety of your clients. The challenges of the examination will also ensure you the greatest possible opportunities for success in your personal fitness training career.

Good luck!

James T. Bell, PhD

CEO IFPA

www.ifpa-fitness.com

(800) 785-1924

(813) 979-1925 (Tampa)

14509 University Point Place

Tampa FL 33613

___________________________________________

______ IFPA INTERNATIONAL NEWS ______

October Bali/Jakarta

IFPA - Advanced Exercise Prescription Specialist Certification Workshop 13th - 15th

AAAC (Bali) 10^th 12^th

ABAARM (Bali) 13^th 16^th

IFPA Asia Fitness Conference (Jakarta) 17^th 19^th

IFPA AAF/S (Jakarta) 18^th 19^th

. ___________________________________________

IFPA Conference in Indonesia!

The IFPA will have special events in Indonesia in October!

IFPA - Advanced Exercise Prescription Specialist Certification Workshop 13th - 15th

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).

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James T. Bell, PhD. is the founder and CEO of the International Fitness Professionals Association, IFPA.

More Books from Jim Bell, PhD.

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