This is Marie (and Pamela)....
Marie is a fitness professional specialising in exercise for older clients. She is employed by Fit for Life Wellness Centre and is part of a team of professionals working there providing a range of health and fitness services. Marie’s responsibilities at the centre include; delivering stretch, strength, flexibility, and balance workouts for all levels of living - from fit to frail, as well as organising and maintaining equipment used in her classes, conducting some health and physical education programs, leading small group classes, one on one training sessions, and referring clients to other therapies as required.
Opportunities for fitness professionals including personal trainers in senior fitness and aged care, is expected to grow much faster than the average, thanks primarily to an aging population, senior’s belief in active aging, and people living longer. Today’s seniors know that regular physical exercise allows them to keep disease at bay and remain physically active much longer than would be possible without regular exercise.
What types of injury risks and considerations are relevant to working with older clients?
Injury risks are increased by inadequate skill and physical preparation, overtraining, poor knowledge of the body and exercise technique, poor physical and mental preparation, poor core and postural awareness, fatigue and recovery, history of falls and anxiety about participating.
Considerations would be; care taken to slowly and carefully reintroduce fitness skills and preparation for physical exercise, monitoring exertion and intensity levels, monitoring for signs of distress, pain or illness, using simple and safe exercise techniques, good warm ups and well prepared exercise environments, promoting good core and postural awareness, incorporating some balance training into the overall program, allowing for sufficient rest periods and modifying exercises and equipment as required.
When discussing the importance of exercise, what are some of the risks of lack of exercise?
There are a range of risks that are attributed to leading a sedentary lifestyle through the aging process. For instance, falls. A lack of muscle conditioning can result in decreased core strength, muscle mass, posture and balance and this can increase the risk of falls. Also, low bone density, resulting in breaks and fractures. And cardiovascular deficiency, resulting in a weakening of the full cardiovascular system, less blood flow to the body and less efficient heart beats, placing stress on the cardiovascular system.
What are some of the interpersonal skills you need to have in this role?
Ability to communicate with different clients, use motivational techniques and assist them with behaviour change, being compassionate, flexible and adaptable, and having a positive attitude is mandatory.
Can you identify the allied health and medical professionals that clients can be referred too?
General practitioner, Podiatrist, Osteopath, Physiotherapist, Accredited dietician, Chiropractor, Continence nurse advisor, Occupational therapist, Psychologist or Remedial massage therapist.