Health Appraisal and Evaluation Guide for Fitness Professionals

1. chapter3 Health Appraisal Michael F. Shipe

2. Evaluating Health Status Categories • Medical history review • Risk factor assessment and stratification • Prescribed medications • Level of physical activity • Establish if physician consent is necessary • Administer fitness tests and evaluate results • Set up exercise prescription • Evaluate progress with follow-up test

3. Preparticipation Questionnaire Concerns PAR-Q versus HSQ • A PAR-Q is appropriate when individuals want to engage exclusively in light- to moderate-intensity exercise activities (see form 3.2). • An HSQ allows fitness professionals to identify medical contraindications to exercise, risk factors, and lifestyle behaviors that may affect an individual’s ability to exercise safely (see form 3.1). (continued)

4. Preparticipation Questionnaire Concerns (continued) • Both questionnaires contain personal health information which is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996. • This information should be shared only with other health professionals who will be working with the participant and should be discussed in a private setting. • Fitness test results are also considered personal health information. (continued)

5. Preparticipation Questionnaire Concerns (continued) • The fitness professional should ask additional questions relevant to the participant’s medical history while reviewing the HSQ. • Pertinent responses should be documented on the HSQ.

6. Medical History Review • The AHA and ACSM recommend that individuals who mark any of the statements in the medical history section of the HSQ should consult a physician before pursuing a regular exercise program. • Fitness professionals should always use their professional experience and academic knowledge to assist them in making decisions on physician consent.

7. Risk Factor Identification • The AHA and ACSM recommend that individuals who mark two or more statements in the assessing risk factor section of the HSQ should consult a physician before pursuing a regular exercise program. • Risk factor thresholds are listed in table 3.1. • Each risk factor does not cause an equal increase in the risk of a coronary event.

8. Risk Factor Stratification • Use health status, symptoms, and risk factors to classify participants as low, moderate, or high risk. • Low-risk participants include men < 45 yr and women < 55 yr who are asymptomatic and meet no more than one risk factor threshold from table 3.1. • Moderate-risk participants include men 45 yr and older and women 55 yr and older or people who meet the threshold for two or more risk factors from table 3.1. (continued)

9. Risk Factor Stratification (continued) • High-risk participants include individuals who have known cardiovascular (e.g., cardiac, peripheral vascular, or cerebrovascular), pulmonary (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases), or metabolic (e.g., type 1 and type 2 diabetes) disease or who show signs or symptoms suggestive of these diseases. • Individuals classified as low risk are permitted to begin an exercise program of vigorous intensity (e.g., >60% VO2R or HRR). . (continued)

10. Risk Factor Stratification (continued) . • Individuals classified as moderate risk can begin moderate-intensity exercise (e.g., <60% VO2R or HRR). • Most facilities offer vigorous physical activity but cannot supervise moderate-risk participants during each visit. • Fitness facilities may want to require all individuals classified as moderate risk to obtain physician consent before exercising regularly. • Individuals classified as moderate or high risk should obtain physician consent before they begin a vigorous exercise program (e.g., >60% VO2R or HRR). .

11. Prescribed Medications • Fitness professionals should be able to identify medications commonly prescribed for high blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar (see appendix D). • Medications that will change a participant’s response to physical activity (e.g., beta-blockers) should also be acknowledged.

12. Present Level of Physical Activity • The frequency, intensity, duration, and type of physical activity the participant performs should be documented and discussed. • The fitness professional should inquire if exercising causes any unusual physiological responses.

13. Fitness Testing • Common measurements obtained at rest include the following: • Heart rate • Blood pressure • Percent body fat • Waist circumference • Low-back flexibility • Common measurements obtained while the participant is exercising include the following: • Heart rate • Blood pressure • Rating of perceived exertion • VO2max .

14. Exercise Prescription An appropriate exercise prescription should be designed in consideration of the following: • Individual’s health status • Fitness test results • Personal goals

15. Evaluating Progress • Fitness tests should be periodically repeated and an HSQ should be readministered to monitor the participant’s contemporary health status. • A follow-up fitness test may be conducted 3 mo after the participant has been exercising regularly, with biannual testing thereafter.

16. Changing Health or Fitness Status • Individuals who develop symptoms suggestive of cardiac, pulmonary, or metabolic disease should be referred to a physician. • Moderate and vigorous exercise should be discontinued if the following situations arise: • Significant musculoskeletal problems aggravated with activity • Abnormal HR or BP responses to physical activity • Severe psychological problems • Drug and alcohol abuse problems

17. Fitness Program Decisions The fitness professional must decide which of the following actions to pursue: • Immediate referral for physician consent or proper medical consultation • Admission to one of the following fitness programs: • Clinic-based supervised exercise program • Carefully prescribed exercise under the supervision of a fitness professional • Vigorous-intensity exercise • Any unsupervised physical activity • Educational information, seminars, or referral to other health professionals

18. Determining Necessary Supervision The fitness professional should consider the following to help determine if physician consent or referral to a clinic-based supervised exercise program is appropriate: • Participant’s health status • Fitness test results • Participant’s desired activity level (continued)

19. Determining Necessary Supervision (continued) • Numerous conditions and fitness test scores warrant additional supervision and special attention (see table 3.2). • Consideration of the participant’s medical history and fitness test results should solidify whether physician consent or referral to a supervised exercise program is necessary.

20. Obtaining Physician Consent • Participants should be informed of the facility’s protocol regarding when physician consent is required. • They should also be told how to obtain consent and how long physician consent will take to be obtained. • A sample physician consent form is shown in form 3.3.

21. Education • The fitness professional should explain any risk factors or borderline clinical values the participant has for CHD. • Participants should be informed about support groups, educational seminars, or other health professionals who can help them make lifestyle changes to more effectively manage their risk factors.