certificate iii / iv in fitness topic 7 week 18, 19 special populations

Certificate III / IV in Fitness

Topic 7Week 18, 19

Special Populations

Topic 7-Week 18, 19Todays session will cover the following topics

-Plan and deliver exercise for childrenand young adolescents

-Plan and deliver exercise for older clients with managed conditions

-Special health considerations

• Weekly review• Question time

Plan and deliver exercise for childrenand young adolescents

This session involves application of the following topics:

developing a consultative network of other fitness trainers, allied health professionals and medical advisors

applying fitness assessment protocols and procedures to children or young adolescents

developing a plan for an exercise class for children or young adolescents

Plan and deliver exercise for childrenand young adolescents

Session objectives

This session involves application of the following topics:

instructing an exercise class for children and young adolescents

reviewing a range of exercise programs for children and young adolescents

Copyright ©2012 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) –

9781442510210/Attridge/Fitness Trainer Essentials 2nd Edition

Benefits of exercise for children and young adolescents

– Health benefits:» improvement and maintenance of functional capacity» bone development and improved peak bone mass» increased postural strength» improved immune system functioning» prevention of degenerative disease» a reduction in injury risk



Benefits of exercise for children and young adolescents

– Social and psychological benefits:» changes in risk perception» improved self-esteem and self-confidence» enhanced social and recreational activities» increased social support» increased social networks



Stages of growth and development in children and young adolescents

– There are a number of factors that will need to be considered when prescribing an exercise program for children

– The main growth period is between birth and 5 years of age. From 5 years of age until adolescence, the growth rate is steady

– There is then another rapid growth spurt from puberty until approximately 15 years of age for females and 17 for males



Stages of growth and development in children and young adolescents

– Sexual maturation normally occurs between 9 and 16 years of age depending on genetics, nutrition and gender

– At the onset of puberty, there is an increase in:

» oestrogen production for females» testosterone production for males» hormone production from the endocrine system



The effects of exercise on growth and development

– Body composition:» will depend on not only the type of training provided but also the

child’s physiological and genetic factors at the start of the program

– Skeletal development:» Participation in exercise increases children’s peak bone mass and

growth» However, as children are still growing there is an increased risk of

injuries to the bone, because the bone is more porous. As a result, training programs need to be carefully constructed with appropriate levels of overload to ensure that the risk of injuries is reduced



Overuse and musculoskeletal injuries

– As with all activities, exercise participation is associated with certain injuries and risks including:

» sprains and strains» growth plate injuries» repetitive motion injuries, such as stress fractures and tendonitis» heat exhaustion» dehydration» bruises» sunburn» osteochondroses (conditions that affect the growing epiphysis.

Examples of osteochondroses include Osgood-Schlatter disease)



Overuse and musculoskeletal injuries

– Other musculoskeletal injuries:– Shoulder instability includes:

» dislocations: when the humeral head is completely removed from the glenoid cavity

» sublaxations: when the humeral head slides slightly out of the glenoid cavity but then immediately is drawn back in

– Joint hypermobility:» Children with joint hypermobility have a higher incidence of

dislocation and sprains in these joints

– Female athlete triad: combination of no menstrual cycle, disordered eating and osteoporosis



Physiological characteristics of the exercising child

– The physiological characteristics of a child involved in an exercise program are also quite different to those displayed by an exercising adult, including:

» child’s cardiac output is significantly lower than that of an adult at the same percentage of intensity

» children have been shown to have higher anaerobic thresholds than adults. Therefore, children are better equipped to complete aerobic exercise based on the use of fatty acids

» children have higher breathing rates» children are able to develop more effective strength gains from

lower intensity programs than from higher intensity programs



Legal requirements affecting the fitness trainer

– Some of the legislation that affects a personal trainer working with children include:

» child protection» industry requirements» privacy of information» anti-discrimination» Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cwlth)» consumer protection» environment» insurance



Applying fitness assessment protocols and procedures to children

– When establishing the health and fitness needs and goals of a child, it is important that it is conducted with the parents and guardians of the child

– Any interview needs to be conducted in a semi-open environment

– The information can then be provided in a summarised format to the parent



Applying fitness assessment protocols and procedures to children

– When developing pre-screening questionnaires for children, the following factors need to be considered:

» The form must be completed by a parent or guardian of the child» It must include a medical history and history of exercise

participation as well as any functional limitations» The child’s current family lifestyle should be evaluated.» The signatures of the parent/guardian and the fitness professional

conducting the screening are required» If there are medical issues, then the child must be referred to a

medical practitioner for clearance to participate in the fitness program



Assessing children’s fitness

– The Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) recommends that the following tests be conducted when assessing the fitness levels of children:

» Cardio-respiratory: beep test, 1.6km run/walk test» Growth: body mass, height» Muscular strength and endurance: curl-ups, basketball throw» Flexibility: sit and reach, shoulder stretch

– It is critical to remember that while comparing a child to normative data may be of some motivational benefit to the child and their parents or guardians, it can also serve as a deterrent and demotivator for the child



Constructing assessment instruments

– The following assessment techniques can be used to encourage a child to participate to the best of their ability:

» The test should elicit individual motivation» Appropriate goals should be set» The aims of the test should be explained in terminology that is easy to

understand» The test should be fun and have a game-like element» The test order should progress from easiest to hardest» The test should not be threatening» When testing is conducted in a group environment, appropriate

monitoring should occur to ensure that all children are participating to the best of their ability

» Emphasis should be on correct techniques rather than testing results



Safety considerations for fitness testing

– The major testing equipment requiring special attention in regards to safety includes:

» Treadmill: not allowing the child to become familiar with how to operate the treadmill, inappropriate safety bars (too high), conducting the test following incorrect protocols, and incomplete equipment maintenance

» Cycle ergometer: incorrect seat height and local muscle fatigue» Rowing machine issues: sizing, familirisation and teaching of

correct technique» Resistance equipment issues: equipment is not normally

biomechanically designed for a child’s height and weight» Outdoor training: overexposure to the elements



Developing a plan for an exercise class

– As stated previously, when designing an exercise program for children it is important to remember that they are not miniature adults

– Activities and exercises selected for them need to meet their physical and psychological maturity levels

– When instructing a child, the first priority is to ensure correct exercise technique




– When working with children the use of music either as a background noise or as a motivational and instructional cue has been shown to be effective in increasing the enjoyment associated with exercise participation

– In all sessions with children, it is important that you arrive early and meet each child individually. You must also start and finish on time as well as establish your behavioural standards in your first session




– Once the activities have been decided on, a training plan needs to be written that includes the following factors:

» goals of the training plan» name and description of each activity as well as modifications if

required» sequence of the activities» duration/intensity/volume» safety considerations» organisation of the activities» equipment to be used» progression of the activity» music to be used (if any)




– Interaction styles include a combination of behaviours exhibited by the trainer which influence the training session. There are three main styles:1. noisy or quiet2. rougher or gentler3. verbal or physical

– Adhering to the following recommendations allows you to be effective in your communication strategies with children:1. Maintain eye contact2. Talk to the child at the child’s level3. Ensure that the child is in close proximity to you when providing feedback




– When an incident occurs during a training session, the appropriate procedures should be followed

– Information that needs to be noted during incident reporting includes:

» the location of the incident» the risk that occurred to the children or others» other potential or actual consequences» action taken

Session 10



Plan and deliver exercise for older clients with managed conditions

Chapter objectives

This chapter involves application of the following topics:

working within a network of fitness trainers and allied health and medical professionals

motivating a group of older adults modifying exercises to incorporate the physical changes that

occur with the ageing process modifying exercises to incorporate age-related health

conditions when planning exercise for older adults




Chapter objectives

This chapter involves application of the following topics:

modifying exercises to incorporate the social and psychological changes that occur with the ageing process

developing fitness plans for older adults applying fitness assessment protocols and procedures to

older adults applying older adult exercise guidelines




– Consultative network• Before developing programs for older adults it is

important to understand the network of professionals with whom you might work, including;

– Exercise physiologists and other AHP’s– Doctors, Chiropractors, Osteopaths– Counsellers, psychologists

– Ensure you are also qualified as an older adults trainer




– Ask yourself if you are ready to work with clients who:

• May not be experienced in exercise• My be frail; slowed, unsteady gait, flexed posture

with poor attention span and slowed cognitive function

• May come from culturally or linguistically diverse communities



Age-related health conditions

– Physical changes:• Due to a decrease in muscle mass and bone strength as you

age, the older you are the higher the risk for injuries, sprains and fractures

• Arthritis is a chronic condition that affects the joints of the body. The main symptoms of arthritis are the inflammation of the synovial lining of the joints

• A client who has had a joint replacement will require a physical training program that is specifically tailored and closely monitored



Age-related health conditions

– Physical changes:• Osteoporosis is a disease that results in a

reduction of bone mass due to a progressive loss of calcium

• Menopause is the final menstrual period in a woman’s life. This reduction in female hormones has been shown to increase the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease



Neuromuscular/neurological diseases

– Parkinson’s disease:• a group of neurological disorders marked by diminished motor

function, tremor and muscular rigidity• exercise can be extremely beneficial, it can help to improve

mobility, balance, range of motion and even emotional wellbeing

– Common thyroid disorders:• Hyperthyroidism; thyroid produces too much hormone, so client

uses energy faster than they should• Hypothyroidism; thyroid produces too little hormone, so client

uses energy slower than they should



Neuromuscular/neurological diseases

Stroke:– the sudden death of brain cells due to a problem with the blood

supply– Blockage of an artery in the brain by a clot (thrombosis) is the

most common cause of a stroke



Cardiovascular conditions

Hypotension:– a condition where the client has an abnormally low blood

pressure– If blood pressure falls too low, vital organs, particularly the

brain, can be starved of oxygen and nutrients

Hypertension:– a condition where the diastolic blood pressure is excessive or

abnormally high– has been linked as a major contributor to deaths from stroke

and heart attacks



Cardiovascular conditions

Claudication:– a circulatory condition that can cause pain in the calves during

exercise– blood supply to the limbs may be restricted due to a build-up of

fats, cholesterol and other materials, which restrict the flow of blood to the limbs



Respiratory conditions

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease:– a long-term lung disease which is usually caused by smoking.

Includes;

Emphysema - partial bronchial obstruction. This interferes with exhalation because the lungs are not able to expand and contract properly.

Pneumonia - inflammation of the alveoli due to infection.

Sleep Apnoea - client’s breathing repeatedly stops for between 10 and 20 seconds while sleeping.



Metabolic conditions

Metabolic conditions or disease is the name given to a broad range of disorders. These disorders include amino acid metabolism disorder, lipid disorder and fructose malabsorption

Some metabolic conditions are treated with medications; however, a number of lifestyle factors can affect the symptoms



Other age related conditions

Cancer:– where abnormal cells grow rapidly and generally spread

throughout the body in an uncontrolled manner

Obesity:– an increase in body weight beyond the limit of skeletal and

physical requirements as the result of the excessive accumulation of body fat



Other age related conditions

Under nutrition:– a condition where the patient is not receiving enough of the

essential dietary components

Incontinence:– a person’s inability to control their excretory functions, causing

involuntary passage of waste products



Immune system changes

Diabetes:– a metabolic condition characterised by the impaired

transportation and utilisation of fuel sources, most notably glucose

– can result from the body’s inability to produce insulin (type 1) or from a reduced sensitivity to insulin at a cellular level (type 2)

– With type 1 diabetes, insulin must be supplied externally, while with type 2 diabetes, insulin is produced by the body, but the body resists it

– Type 2 diabetes can be managed by diet and/or medication



Psychological conditions

Depression:– can be defined as a mental state of altered mood characterised

by feelings of sadness, despair and discouragement– symptoms of depression, as it relates to exercise, may be

lethargy, a lack of interest in exercise and a lack of motivation for training

Dementia:– a general loss of cognitive abilities, including the impairment of

memory and the disturbance of the planning, organising and abstract-thinking elements of the brain



Fitness assessments

When assessing older adults, specific fitness tests may be used in conjunction with traditional fitness and screening tests

Specific tests include:– the 2-minute step test and a 6-minute walk test– 8-foot up and go– 30-second chair test– arm curl– chair sit and reach– back scratch



Fitness assessments

Goal setting should reflect the capabilities of the client including:– to improve functional capacity– to be able to walk up a flight of stairs– to be able to lift shopping bags out of a trolley– to improve quality of life and increase social outings– to control weight– to minimise falls– to help with sleep quality



Programming considerations

Resistance training:– Inexperienced adults should start training with light machine

weights progressing to free weights with development of balance

– Training should focus on function in walking and lifting tasks– Training should include two sessions per week aiming for

adherence and technique development– Avoid overhead lifting, isometric contraction and rapid postural

changes




Cardiovascular training:– Use a threshold of 40 to 50% of VO²max, increasing to 70 to

85% of VO²max after initial conditioning– Use an extended warm-up and cool-down of 10 minutes– Encourage social interaction and incidental exercise– Train for between 10-30 minutes– Avoid fast turns and body position changes




Flexibility and agility:– perform activities that maintain or increase flexibility and agility

on at least 2 days each week for at least 10 minutes each day

Fundamental movement skill:– remember when training an older adult that they are able to

learn new motor skills at a similar rate as the rest of the adult population




Injury risk may be increased due to:– Inadequate skill and poor technique– Overtraining and inadequate recovery– Lack of preparation– Poor strength

Facility requirements should include:– Adequate lighting, ventilation and access to water– Even, non slip floor with access ramps



Programming recommendations

Obtain medical clearance Be aware of contra-indications and co-morbidity factors Monitor closely Start at low load and progress slowly Extend warm-up, cool-down and rest periods Combine resistance and cardio-vascular training Avoid rapid movement and excessive postural shift Ensure facility and equipment appropriate to need Establish trust and rapport

Take home message from todays session:• This might be an area that scares the crap out of you, but once

conquered can help build your confidence tenfold!• Group X isn't just choreographed to music, but can be any type of

group exercise.• Add on courses can be found on the LES MILLS website, that can

provide you specialised short courses • If you haven't started your placement, start it now!

certificate iii / iv in fitness topic 7 week 18, 19 special populations

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