Preliminary Health screening Flashcards
What is the primary goal of pre-participation health screening?
To minimize barriers to physical activity, provide a prudent assessment, identify contraindications to exercise, and recognize individuals at increased risk of disease. This process also helps to determine if the fitness professional is qualified to work with the individual
Why is informed consent crucial in health assessments?
Informed consent ensures ethical conduct, safeguarding participant rights through voluntary, informed, and ongoing agreement, as well as ensuring confidentiality
What are the three essential requirements for consent according to the Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS 2)?
Consent must be given voluntarily, be informed, and can be withdrawn at any time
What rights do participants have if they choose to withdraw their consent?
Participants who withdraw consent can also request the withdrawal of their data or biological materials
What key elements should be included in an informed consent document?
The document should address confidentiality, be easily understood by the client, and signed before any appraisal. It should also describe the nature of the appraisal and outline client responsibilities. Dialogue should be encouraged to ensure the client understands the process
What specific details should an informed consent document include?
It should address confidentiality, be self-explanatory, describe the appraisal process, outline client responsibilities, and encourage dialogue
When should the informed consent document be signed?
It should be read, understood, and duly signed prior to the administration of any appraisal
What is required if the client is under the age of majority?
A parent/guardian signature is needed via an assent form
Is an informed consent a form of waiver?
No, an informed consent is not a waiver
Explain the difference between informed consent and a waiver.
Informed consent is a signed by a client giving their voluntary consent to participate. A waiver is a signed statement relinquishing some level of “right”, attempting to cover accidents. Neither document absolves the appraiser from negligence
What is the purpose of a waiver in a fitness context?
A waiver is a signed statement relinquishing some level of “right”, attempting to cover any accidents that may occur
Does a waiver absolve the appraiser from negligence?
No, a waiver does not absolve the appraiser from negligence.
Define negligence in the context of fitness appraisals.
Negligence is an act or omission that causes harm to another person
What are some common examples of negligence against personal trainers?
failing to consider pre-existing conditions, providing inappropriate exercises, not limiting weights or exercise duration, or improper client supervision
What are some key actions for fitness professionals to avoid liability?
- Be professional, ensure pre-screening actions and intentions are clear, use pre-screening paperwork, and do not improvise.
- Always ask and explain before you act, listen and answer questions, and get real acknowledgement from participants
From a risk mitigation perspective, what are four key steps to take before fitness assessments?
Ask before you do, explain before you do, listen and answer questions, and get real acknowledgement from participants
Why is pre-participation health screening important?
It is a prudent assessment that minimizes barriers to adopting physical activity
What are the benefits of pre-participation health screening?
It avoids unnecessary referrals to healthcare providers, identifies contraindications to exercise, identifies those at increased risk, and determines who requires medical clearance before testing.
How is “scope of practice” defined?
Scope of practice defines the procedures, actions, and processes that are permitted for a licensed professional. It outlines responsibilities and limitations for a certified professional
What is the Get Active Questionnaire?
It is a simplified two-page questionnaire designed for all ages, including a parental assessment for children/minors, and concussion screening
How long is the Get Active Questionnaire valid?
The Get Active Questionnaire is valid for six months
What key changes have occurred in the recent versions of the Get Active Questionnaire? What are some of the key differences between the 2002, 2011, and 2017 Get Active Questionnaires?
The most recent questionnaire is a self assessment model. The questionnaire includes concussion in health screening
What basic physiological assessments are essential prior to exercise testing?
The basic assessments include heart rate to identify cardiac irregularities and blood pressure to identify hypertension or hypotension
What are the preliminary instructions (CSEP-PATH) that should be given to clients before testing?
Clients should abstain from smoking for 2 hours, alcohol for 6 hours, and caffeine for 2 hours. They should also avoid a heavy meal for 2 hours and vigorous exercise for 6 hours prior to testing
What are the heart rate cutoffs before proceeding with an appraisal, according to CSEP-PATH?
- Proceed if heart rate is ≤ 99 bpm.
- If > 99 bpm, have the individual sit quietly for 5 minutes and re-measure.
- If still > 99 bpm, physician clearance is recommended.
- Elevated heart rate is known as tachycardia.
What are the blood pressure cutoffs before proceeding with an appraisal?
- Proceed if systolic pressure is < 160 mmHg AND diastolic pressure is < 90 mmHg.
- If either is elevated, have the individual sit for 5 minutes and re-measure.
- If still elevated, physician clearance is recommended. These are not diagnostic cutoffs
Systolic bp is the maximum bp during contraction of the ventricles
Diastolic bp is the pressure blood exerts within arteries between heart beats
What is “white-coat hypertension” (WCH)?
WCH, or elevated office BP (OBP), is high blood pressure in a doctor’s office but normal otherwise. While often due to nervousness, it could signal early cardiovascular risk
What should be done if a client has elevated blood pressure due to stress or anxiety or displays WCH?
Check blood pressure at rest, during, and after exercise. If needed, stop the test and refer the client to a physician with a report
