Physical exercise is a powerful but underutilized strategy for enhancing population health. In the correct amounts, physical activity can aid in preventing, treating, and managing numerous chronic health disorders that have an ever-increasing negative effect on people’s ability to live healthy and productive lives. This is why Occupational Therapy Victoria Bc or Exercise Prescription Physiotherapy are frequently searched.

When prescribing an exercise program, it is important to consider the individual’s current health, level of fitness, desired outcomes, and personal preferences. Clinical and allied health professionals can benefit from guidelines provided by several national and international organizations on conducting exercise screenings, evaluating patients’ responses to exercise, and prescribing therapeutic exercise.

Checkups Before Working Out

Both the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Heart Association (AHA) advise screening for cardiovascular risk factors before beginning an exercise program. Since even mild exercise can cause cardiac events in sedentary people, screenings are important for reducing the likelihood of adverse reactions to physical activity. The risk screening procedure can be easier for fitness professionals using one of two recommended devices. The PAR-Q is the most widely utilized questionnaire, followed by the Fitness Facility Pre-Participation Screening Questionnaire.

Prospective participants are classified as low, moderate, or high-risk after screening.

Low risk persons are men under the age of 45 and women under the age of 55 with no more than one cardiovascular risk factor. Men over 45 and women over 55 with two or more risk factors are considered moderate risk. Any individual with known cardiovascular, pulmonary, or metabolic disease or who exhibits signs or symptoms of cardiovascular disease falls into the highest risk category.

Based on this information, a judgment on the medical clearance/consultation requirement before further testing can be made. The following is a summary of medical clearance and testing recommendations based on the individual’s risk level and the amount of exercise he or she desires to participate in.

Exercise Capacity Evaluation

There are numerous procedures for determining baseline exercise capability. Exercise testing for aerobic capacity is divided into maximal and sub-maximal testing. Maximal testing determines the capacity of people who engage in strenuous exercise. Sub-maximal testing is sufficient for people who only engage in a moderate or low-intensity activity. Noonan and Dean have compiled information on specific protocols for sub-maximal testing.

Exercise Recommendation

The five principles of exercise prescription are as follows: type, duration, frequency, intensity, and volume. The primary types of exercise training are aerobic (i.e., endurance training), resistance (i.e., strength training), flexibility, and balance. Duration and frequency describe the length and number of exercise sessions completed within a certain time frame. Intensity is defined as the participant’s level of effort and can be quantified in a variety of ways.