Special Populations Exercise Guidelines Guidelines

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing exercise prescriptions, intensity, frequency, and special precautions for 18 special populations.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Begin with low-impact endurance activities (walking, swimming, cycling) at 40–50 % HRR or RPE 9–11; progress to 60–85 % HRR or RPE 11–14 if low risk and stable. Train aerobically 3–5 d/wk, resistance 2 d/wk; build to ≥30 min. Use RPE due to meds, employ gradual interval progressions.

Hypertension

Choose low-impact endurance (walking, cycling, swimming) plus low-resistance, high-rep weights. Work at RPE 9–13, 4–7 d/wk (ideally daily); extend warm-up/cool-down >5 min; build to 40–60 min. Avoid high-isometric moves; lower-intensity work reduces BP effectively.

Stroke

Use walking, cycling, water exercise with balance & light resistance. Light–moderate intensity, 3–5 d/wk progressing to 5; start with 3–5 min bouts, build to 30 min. Stop if neuro symptoms appear (numbness, vision loss, severe headache, etc.).

Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)

Begin with non-impact endurance (swim, cycle); add weight-bearing walking to claudication pain grade II–III. Exercise daily, later 4–5 d/wk; warm-up/cool-down >10 min; build to 30–60 min. Inspect feet, avoid cold environments.

Dyslipidemia

Perform aerobic activities (walk, jog, cycle, swim) 5 d/wk; resistance 2 d/wk light-moderate weights (10–12 reps). Emphasize low-to-moderate intensity, gradually add short vigorous bouts; aim for 30–60 min/session and 150–200 min/week.

Diabetes (Type 1 & 2)

Use walking, cycling, swimming; resistance 2 d/wk (8–10 moves, 8–12 reps). Moderate intensity: Type 1 RPE 11–14, Type 2 RPE 11–16; 5–6 d/wk. Type 1 build to ≥30 min; Type 2 to 40–60 min. Monitor glucose, avoid exercise if

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS)

Low-impact or non-weight-bearing cardio plus resistance 2 d/wk (8–10 moves, 8–12 reps). Intensity RPE 11–13 (30–75 % VO₂R); focus on duration before intensity. Exercise 3–5 d/wk (preferably daily); accumulate 200–300 min/week, using 10–15 min bouts if needed.

Asthma

Select walking, cycling, swimming; avoid high-ventilation sports (arm crank, rowing, XC skiing) if symptomatic. Low-to-moderate dynamic intensity with gradual warm-up/cool-down ≥10 min; 3–5 d/wk or interval/10-min bouts. Carry rescue inhaler; avoid triggers, exercise mid-to-late morning when possible.

Cancer

Prioritize weight-bearing cardio (walking); light–moderate intensity (RPE 9–13) adjusting per treatment fatigue. Cardiovascular, flexibility, balance daily; strength 2–3 d/wk with 24 h rest. Start with 3–5 min bouts, progress to 30–40 min accumulated. Avoid chlorinated pools on irradiated skin.

Osteoporosis

Use weight-bearing exercises (walking, resistance training) with high-strain intensities (8-RM) and balance work. Perform multiple short (5–10 min) bone-loading bouts totaling 50–100 strain impacts, allowing adequate rest. Avoid spinal flexion, high-impact, extreme ab/adduction, neck pulling.

Arthritis

Engage in non-impact cardio (elliptical, cycling, warm-water exercise) and recreational low-stress activities. Intensity RPE 9–15; strength training emphasize higher reps, lighter weight. Train 3–5 d/wk with warm-up/cool-down >10 min; build from 10–15 min to 30 min, using intermittent sessions. Avoid exercising during rheumatoid flares.

Fibromyalgia

Perform walking, elliptical, aquatic exercise plus daily stretching and light resistance bands/weights. Intensity RPE 9–13; frequency 3–5 d/wk. Gradually reach ≥150 min/week, starting with 10-min bouts. Allow rest during flare-ups but avoid prolonged inactivity; vary activities to limit repetitive stress.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

Start with ADLs, short walking or cycling, gentle stretching; low intensity aiming to avoid post-activity malaise. Use 2–5 min bouts with 6–15 min rest (1:3 ratio), 3–5 d/wk; build toward 30 min total. If symptoms worsen, regress to previous tolerable level; consider recumbent or aquatic modalities.

Low-Back Pain (LBP)

Choose walking, stationary biking, swimming; add core work, light resistance, stretching. Begin light–moderate, progress as symptoms improve to moderate–vigorous. Train 3–5 d/wk, building to 30–60 min; may use 10-min bouts. Avoid unsupported forward flexion, waist twisting with load, double-leg lifts, rapid flexion/extension.

Weight Management

Use walking, cycling, aquatic exercise, group aerobics; start low intensity, progress via RPE. Train 5–6 d/wk (may start 2–3), aiming for 150–200 + min/week. Emphasize enjoyable, sustainable activities to maximize caloric expenditure.

Older Adults

Implement low-impact endurance (walking, cycle, swim) plus low-resistance strength and balance exercises. Intensity RPE 11–13; ≥5 d/wk. Provide longer warm-up/cool-down; work up to 30–60 min. Use RPE/talk test over HR; encourage active lifestyle and recreation.

Youth

Encourage daily moderate-to-vigorous activity (running, swimming, play) totaling ≥60 min; include bone- and muscle-strengthening 3 d/wk. Start inactive youth at lower intensities. Avoid maximal lifts, explosive moves beyond ability, improper equipment; schedule frequent hydration/rest breaks.

Pregnancy

Engage in brisk walking, elliptical, stationary cycling, XC skiing, swimming. Light-to-moderate intensity (talk test or RPE 9–13); begin with 15 min, build to 30 – 40 min; 3 d/wk (progress to 4–5). Reduce intensity/duration in 2nd–3rd trimesters. Avoid contact sports, jumping, scuba, prolonged supine >5 min after 1st trimester; wear supportive shoes/bra.