Contraindications To Exercise And The Key Safety Guidelines For Special Populations

Question 1

What is an essential first action prior to working with any specialist population?

Answer 1

Pre-exercise screening, PAR-Q.

Question 2

List the contraindication (when not to exercise) for older adults

Answer 2

• Unstable or controlled medical conditions
• Resting blood pressure greater than 180/90
• Resting heart rate over 100 bpm
• Joint condition made worse by exercise
• Unexplained dizziness
• The effects of the aging process

Question 3

List the contraindication (when not to exercise) for pre-natal women

Answer 3

• Dizziness, faintness or nausea
• Bleeding or leakage of amniotic fluid
• Abdominal or contraction type pain
• Unexplained pain in the back, pelvis, groin, buttocks or legs
• Excessive shortness of breath, chest pain or palpitations

Question 4

List the contraindication (when not to exercise) for post-natal women

Answer 4

• Stress incontinence or pelvic floor muscle weakness
• ‘Dragging’ pain or a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdominal or pelvic floor area
• Groin, low back pain or difficulty waling
• Abdominal muscle weakness, excessive abdominal doming, abdominal muscle separation or softness/sinking at the umbilical mid-line, umbilical hernia

Question 5

List the contraindication (when not to exercise) for young people

Answer 5

• Growth related issues,
• Flexibility, over stretching
• Temperature-avoid high intensity
• Self- esteem & confidence, eating disorders
• Medical conditions
• immaturity, affect behaviour
• reduced coordination & motor skills

Question 6

List the contraindication (when not to exercise) for disable people

Answer 6

• Hypertension
• Heart conditions
• Progressive disorders such as MS
• Asymmetrical weakness - stroke, cerebral palsy
• spasticity,
• neurological conditions, muscular dystrophy
• sensory nerve damage, pressure sores
• depression, lack of motivation, medication has many side effects, weight gain & suicide risks

Question 7

List the safety considerations for working with older adults

Answer 7

• Use a longer more gradual warm up
• more mobility exercises
• slower controlled movements
• Build intensity more gradually
• use less impact
• use less resistance
• emphasis correct technique

Question 8

List the safety considerations for working with pre-natal women

Answer 8

• Emphasis correct posture
• Make movements slower & more controlled
• Use low to moderate intensity
• Use slower tempo
• Avoid supine and prone lying

Question 9

List the safety considerations for working with post-natal women

Answer 9

• Emphasis correct posture
• Make movements slower & more controlled
• Use low to moderate intensity
• Use slower tempo
• Avoid positions which may over stretch the ligaments
• Use shorter hold stretches to maintain rather than develop flexibility

Question 10

List the safety considerations for working with young people

Answer 10

• Lower impact & lower intensity (fewer reps)
• Modify stretch, stretch to the point of mild tension, maintain hydration,
• Simpler non-complex activity

Question 11

List the safety considerations for working with disable people

Answer 11

• Simplifying exercises
• Reducing intensity
• Modifying exercise positions & modalities

Question 12

What action would you take if you had any specific concerns about being able to work with a specialist population?

Answer 12

Referred to the medical authority if there are any doubts regarding the ability to work safely and effectively with a specialist individual.

Question 13

What action would be appropriate if an older adult presented with a number of cardiovascular risk factors?

Answer 13

Should be signposted to a GP prior to participation.

Question 14

What is the Equality Act 2010?

Answer 14

Brings all previous legislation regarding diversity & discrimination into one document. A requirement of the act is that service providers must make reasonable adjustments to their facilities & services so they are accessible to disabled people