Ch. 1 - Rationale and Considerations for Training Special Populations

Despite the physical and psychological benefits of exercise, why is participation is not always a given to all?

Certain groups of individuals, or special populations, may require altered exercise programming supervised by specially trained exercise professionals.

What is a Special Population? What are their three characteristics?

•chronic disease or disability

•groups that differ from the overall population with regard to age (e.g., youth and the elderly) or

•specific conditions related to gender (e.g., female athlete triad and pregnancy).

What approach is taken when dealing with individuals of special population? What kind of treatment?

Palliative approach. Emphasizes treatment of consequences of disease, focuses on quality of life.

If exercises represents a palliative approach towards special populations, why do most not participate?

Opportunities and access to training may be limited for special populations

What are the causes of inactivity in SP?

•Perceived lack of time or convenience

•Lack of motivation or interest

•Lack of personal management skills or support systems

•Perceived lack of suitable resources

•Limitations from physical disability or chronic disease

What determines the scope of exercise professionals working with SP?

Determined by standards of care in the industry.

How do certifications help deal with SP?

Earned certifications ensure a certain level of specialized knowledge and skills required to effectively deal with special populations

What is the scope of practice for exercise professionals?

• Conducting health appraisals and physical assessments

• designing and supervising exercise training

What activities are exercise professionals excluded from and should be referred to licensed clinicians?

• Diagnosis of conditions that limit function or cause pain

• Soft tissue mobilization

• Gait training

• Neuromuscular education

• Counseling for disordered eating or body image

• Physical Therapy

What do Certified Special Population Specialists do?

• Use an individual approach to assess, motivate, educate, and train special population clients of all ages regarding their health and fitness needs in collaboration with health care professionals.

What opportunities are there for CSPSs? Why are they needed?

• Nearly half of adults in the U.S. have at least one chronic medical condition

• As lifespan increases, skills practiced by CSPSs are necessary to address quality of life issues and reduce the burden on the health care system

• Since many patients will be unaccustomed to exercise as a therapeutic activity, medical referrals can be an important source of clientele for the CSPS

What is inclusive fitness?

• Is an approach whereby special populations can train in the same setting as others instead of exclusively in a medical or clinical setting

What does inclusize fitness emphasize?

• This approach emphasizes increasing physical work capacity and health promotion in order to increase independence.

Which institution states that all populations should have access to safe and effective exercise training and prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities?

Americans with Disability Act (ADA)

What changes did the ADA introduce in 2010?

• structural requirements to ensure access to training facilities for all populations.

What are some recommendations to increase access in training?

• Increased staffing where necessary

• Mechanism to assist hand grasp on certain devices

• Lifting straps or other mechanism to allow independent mounting and use of exercise devices