The Importance of an Individualised Exercise Program
Today Longevity Exercise Physiology Drummoyne, Edgecliff, Marrickville, Bella Vista, Randwick, Pymble, Neutral Bay and Balmain give their explanation of the importance of an individualised Exercise Program and how an Exercise Physiologist can prescribe exercise specific to your medical history and previous exercise experience.
What is an individualised exercise program and why is it important?
An individualised exercise program at Longevity is an exercise prescription developed by an Allied Health Professional specifically for YOU. Many facets of the individual are considered, such as medical conditions (chronic illnesses), medications, goals, current physical wellbeing and conditioning, muscular strength, joint range of motion, previous exercise history, social and professional demands. No two individuals are the same, nor should two exercise programs.
Tailored exercise programs enable the client to participate in exercise is appropriate to the individual holistically, resulting in an increased level of safety; this is particularly important for those who suffer from chronic illness or chronic pain.
The process of gathering subjective and objective data is incredibly important in designing a specifically tailored exercise program. Tailored exercise programs enable the client to participate in exercise that is appropriate to the individual holistically, resulting in an increased level of safety; this is particularly important for those who suffer from chronic illness or chronic pain. This also promotes a greater level of exercise adherence, as participants are performing modalities of exercise within their levels of tolerance. Moreover, with a greater level of exercise performed and achieved by the patient, allows for better results and for goals to be obtained in a shortened period of time.
How an Exercise Physiologist can prescribe exercise specific to your medical history?
Exercise Physiologists are university qualified Allied Health Professionals; that obtain knowledge, skills and competencies to design, deliver and evaluate safe and effective exercise interventions for people with acute, sub-acute or chronic medical conditions, injuries or disabilities. Chronic illness encompasses a variety of medical conditions and the services in which Exercise Physiologists may provide cross multiple pathology domains, which include cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, musculoskeletal, cancers, kidney, respiratory/ pulmonary and mental health, and any other conditions for which there is evidence that exercise can improve the client’s clinical status.
As conditions differ between clients, so does the recommended guidelines to treat or improve experienced symptoms relating to the condition itself. Various conditions effect many and multiple facets of the body and individual, which require specific treatment modalities to ultimately improve, reduce progression or prevent chronic illness or injury from occurring. For example, an individual who is suffering from osteoporosis, will require a varied treatment exercise plan to that of someone who is suffering from osteoarthritis. Although these are both diseases that impact bone and joint health, their presentation and subsequent symptoms are vastly different.
Although, for individuals that may be characterised within the “apparently healthy population”, meaning people who do not suffer from a chronic illness and are generally healthy – exercise guidelines also apply with the goal and intention to prevent the development of chronic illness or injury. These recommended guidelines are devised into clear objective targets which should be aimed to be completed weekly, to enable an improved level of function and wellbeing. The Australian Physical Activity Guidelines are are as followed;
Aerobic-based workload:
- 150-250mins of moderate (11-13 RPE) based exercise OR 75-150mins of vigorous (14-16 RPE) intensity workload
- 40-80% Heart Rate Reserve
- 3-5 days per week (can be performed in continuous or shorter bouts)
- Prolonged, rhythmic movements that involve the use of large muscle groups (eg; swimming, walking running, rowing etc.)
Resistance-based workload:
- 2-3 days per week (non-consecutive days)
- 40-80% 1RM (depending on current physical health, exercise history etc.)
- 2-4 Sets
- 8-12 Reps
- Aiming to incorporate movements that target and stimulate large muscle groups
As previously mentioned, these guidelines listed above will alter depending on the specific condition and exercise history of the client. This is to provide an exercise program that not only keeps the client safe, but to also enable the most suited plan to promote the best physiological response.
If you or anyone you know would benefit from exercise as a result of suffering from a chronic illness, give us a call on 1300 964 002.
Written by Kale Barton – Bissaker
