Special Populations

Question 1

How can one reduce atherosclerosis?

Answer 1

By eating a healthy, low fat diet and performing regular cardiovascular exercise

Question 2

What is a hypoglycemic attack?

Answer 2

A dramatic dip in blood sugar levels

Question 3

What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia?

Answer 3

Fatigue, extreme sweating, profusion, shakiness, headaches, sudden unexplained rapid heart rate

Question 4

Define hypertension:

Answer 4

Resting blood pressure >= 140 mmHG systolic or >= 90 mmHG diastolic, measured on more than two occassions

Question 5

How can one reduce hypertension?

Answer 5

Through physical activity, proper diet, smoking cessation, and weight loss for those who are overweight/obese

Question 6

How much cardio exercise is recommended to lose weight?

Answer 6

50-60 minutes most days of the week or an expenditure of 2000 kcal throughout the week

Question 7

List at least six (6) exercise guidelines for participants with heart disease

Answer 7

a. Avoid high intensity exercise with high-risk participants; start low and gradually increase as the client adapts to physical activity
b. When in doubt, refer out
c. Get medical clearance
d. Guidelines prescribed by the physician should be followed
e. A record of current medications and their effects with exercise should be developed and reviewed with the client in conjunction with their doctor prior to beginning an exercise program
f. Comply with target heart rate range and RPE guidelines with each client
g. Have the client alert the fitness professional should any signs or symptoms develop before, during, or after exercise.

Question 8

List at least four(4) precautions that should be taken for diabetic participants who are attending a group exercise class.

Answer 8

a. monitor blood glucose levels frequently
b. inject insulin into a muscle that is not active during class
c. don’t inject insulin before or during periods of peak activity
d. keep simple carbohydrate snacks on hand (juice, raisins, candy, simple sugars)
e. know the symptoms of hypoglycemia
f. have participants to check their feet regularly
g. schedule exercise sessions the same time every day for the Type 1 person
h. consume a carbohydrate snack prior to, and possibly during, exercise to reduce the occurrence of hypoglycemia

Question 9

What does EIA stand for and how can it be prevented?

Answer 9

Exercise Induced Asthma.

a. consider using an inhaler prior to start of exercise
b. practice extended warm-ups and cool-downs
c. gradually ease into low intensity cardio work

Question 10

List at least four (4) exercise guidelines for participants with arthritis.

Answer 10

a. avoid vigorous exercise during flare ups
b. incorporate gentle stretching and feel good moves, especially during bouts of pain
c. Avoid high impact activities
d. An extended warm-up and cool-down period is advised
e. decrease intensity and duration of exercise during severe bouts of pain or inflammation
f. isometric strength exercises may be best when joint movements are painful-be sure to breathe
g. remember the 2-hour pain rule

Question 11

List eight (8) exercise guidelines for a participant with hypertension

Answer 11

a. Be sure to work with the participants health care provider
b. Emphasize cardio exercises and keep the intensity low to moderate
c. Avoid isometric exercises and lifting heavy weights (due to the Valsalva maneuver)
d. Use RPE instead of heart rate
e. Teach relaxation and stress management techniques
f. for resistance training, repetitions should be high and weight should remain low
g. exercise should be performed 4-5 times per week in 30-60 minute sessions

Question 12

What is the preferred method of monitoring exercise intensity in the older adult population and what is the appropriate range?

Answer 12

RPE (5 or 6 on a scale of 10 for most; 7 to 8 for the more fit)

Question 13

What method of resistance training would be appropriate for older adults with
arthritis and osteoporosis?

Answer 13

isometric resistance

Question 14

List at least four (4) program design guidelines for the older adult.

Answer 14

a. Start with a gentle warmup (stretching, limbering)
b. Low or non-impactful cardio exercise 3-4 days per week for a minimum of 20 minutes at low to moderate intensity (55-70% of max heart rate)
c. Strength training frequency 2-3 times per week, exercising a minimum of one set for 8-10 muscle groups, 10-15 repetitions per set
d. Flexibility training
e. Include exercises that focus on postural stability, balance, and gait.

Question 15

5. Recommended modalities for senior adults

Answer 15

a. walking
b. low impact cardio/aerobics performed to music
c. Tai Chi
d. water exercises
e. weight bearing exercises (dumbbells, bands, etc)
f. Chair exercises (sit back squats, standing hip abduction and extensions, heel raises, seat knee extensions, seated low rows, seated overhead press and front raises)
g. balance exercises
h. flexibility exercises (using a chair)

Question 16

1. List at least three (3) exercise considerations during pregnancy.

Answer 16

a. sedentary women should start slow; inactive should not begin an exercise program within the first or third trimesters of pregnancy
b. Provide erector spinae stretches and appropriate abdominal exercises
c. All pregnant women need clearance
d. Avoid supine position after first trimester
e. abdominal exercises should be performed on the side, seated, standing, or on all fours
f. If diastasis recti exists, brace, support, or splint both sides of the abdominal during ab work
g. Watch for overheating
h. Focus on strengthening the upper back with spinal extension or scapular retraction exercises

Question 17

List five (5) things a fitness professional should consider prior to working with
pregnant women.

Answer 17

Have clients get medical clearance

b. Strenuous exercisers may gain less weight and deliver lighter babies than sedentary women
c. Exercise may cause damage to the fetus due to elevated body temperatures
d. Shunting of blood to the working muscles during exercise may compromise fetal oxygen supply
e. Exercising muscles may/will compete with the fetus for glucose

Question 18

Discuss at least three (3) exercise modalities that pregnant women can perform
along with any risks and modifications that should be taken.

Answer 18

a. Pelvic floor (Kegel) exercise
b. Pushups
b. Modification = in the standing position against wall after the first trimester
b. Abdominal exercises (risks = the Valsalva manuever; check for diastasis; avoid oblique work; avoid supine position)
Modifications include:
b. abdominal exercises in the standing position
c. All-Fours abdominal exercises
d. Side-lying abdominal exercises
e. Weight training (if the client has regularly used them before the pregnancy). Avoid maximal lifts.
f. Stretching exercises should be static
g. light intensity (20-39% HRR) and low- or non-impact activities such as swimming/walking

Question 19

List a minimum of four(4) exercise recommendations outlined by the
USDHHS and ACSM for youth

Answer 19

a. Teach good health habits and make it fun, positive and non-competitive
b. Emphasize cardio exercise and muscle fitness as well as the skill related component of fitness
c. Competition should be discouraged in the weight room
d. provide a variety of age-appropriate physical activities

Question 20

List a minimum of three (3) general guidelines to resistance training in children and adolescents.

Answer 20

a. Avoid any weight that can’t be lifted at least eight times (1-2 pounds)
b. Watch for signs of overheating
c. Rest days should be scheduled in between each strength training day.
d. Avoid power lifting and bodybuilding until developmental maturity is reached
e. Young or small children should not use weight machines designed for adults
f. exercises for all major muscle groups should be incorporated
g. Qualified adults should provide supervision