This course is designed to provide physical and occupational therapists a review of exercise physiology principles and how they may be applied to the older adult. The recently published CDC “Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans” will be discussed as they relate to healthy older adults, as well as the older adult with chronic health conditions. Evidence-based exercise examination techniques will be reviewed in order to establish appropriate goal setting. The American College of Sports Medicine Guidelines for Exercise Prescription will be examined with practical applications offered toward aerobic, muscle strength, flexibility and neuromuscular exercise. The student will learn to modify their exercise prescription in response to frequently encountered co-morbidities. Finally, psychosocial aspects of exercise prescription will be discussed in order to begin and maintain physical activity and exercise programs with the patients we serve.

Course Objectives/Outcomes

By the end of the course, a successful learner will be able to:

• Assess principles of physiology related to the aging adult and determine how they may affect the rehabilitation programs we design for our patients.
• Better engage our patients by educating them of the many benefits of exercise and physical activity.
• Competently perform several evidence-based tests that may be used for baseline exercise testing to utilize in establishing appropriate goals for our patients.
• Apply the exercise prescription principles of FITT-VP to our rehabilitation programs in regards to aerobic, strength, flexibility and neuromuscular exercise.
• Analyze adaptions made to our rehabilitation programs in response to patient co-morbidities.
  Implement strategies into therapist-patient interactions to help improve exercise program compliance.

Applicability

• Geriatric Certification 

Evidence In Motion is an AOTA Approved Provider of continuing education. By taking an EIM continuing education course designed for OTs/OTAs you may qualify for AOTA CEUs. *The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.