Strength training is No. 1 in 2012 (pt 1)

This is the first in a series of articles that will provide an overview of the major policies and guidelines practitioners of physical medicine should adhere to in developing and executing physical exercise programmes.

Strength training is the number-one fitness activity for 2012, according to the American College of Sports Medicines.

So, as more of us join the ranks of healthy-lifestyle enthusiasts, being more active is quite safe for most of us. However, many of us will need to get medical clearance before we embark on an exercise programme because of undiagnosed health problems.

The physical activity readiness questionnaire is an excellent health and fitness instrument to commence medical clearance. It will ascertain if we have a heart condition that requires doing physical activity that is recommended only by a doctor. It will indicate if we feel pain in our chest when we do physical activity or have had chest pains when we were not involved in any physical activity during the past month.

Check for dizziness

It asks if we have lost our balance because of dizziness or ever lost consciousness. We are asked to indicate if we have bone or joint problems that a change in our physical activity could make worse. Persons who are currently on prescribed medication for specific health conditions such as hypertension and heart problems, or are aware of other reasons why they should not participate in physical activities, are also addressed. Where one or more of the above applies, it is recommended that medical advice is sought before we increase our level of physical activity. If none of the concerns apply to us, we can proceed with our physical activities.

Where signs and symptoms of disease are apparent, the individual may need referrals to obtain evidence of physician's approval for exercise testing and participation. If the physical examination detects signs or symptoms of disease that require clinical testing, a graded exercise test should be done prior to participation in physical activities to establish if cardiac abnormalities exist that are contraindicated to exercise.

One of the most critical factors is a coronary risk factor analysis, which is used to determine if the individual has any coronary heart disease risk factors. If the individual has any disease risks, he/she can then be classified as low, moderate or high risk so that there are no breaches in filling the exercise prescription.

It is in the interest of all parties concerned to have the informed consent of persons who will participate in the exercise programme.

Dr Kenneth Gardner is an exercise physiologist at Holiday Hills Research Center; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.