Exercise Prescription Management of the Older Adult: An Evidence-Based Approach, 2nd Edition

Course overview

This intermediate-level course is designed to educate physical therapists and physical therapist assistants on the implementation of exercise prescriptions in older adults. This course will review the multiple age-related systemic changes that take place in the cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, and musculoskeletal systems and describe how exercise may mitigate these changes. This course will also provide recommended exercise prescriptions according to the most recent American College of Sports Medicine guidelines for older adults and discuss common barriers for exercise participation in older adults. It will also describe how changes after an exercise intervention can be measured by providing several clinical measures that can routinely and easily be implemented in clinical practice. Finally, this course will discuss special concerns, such as the need for medical screening prior to establishing a new exercise program, and special considerations when prescribing exercise for individuals with comorbid conditions common in older populations, such as osteoarthritis, diabetes, dementia, and obesity. At the end of this course, physical therapists and physical therapist assistants should be able to comfortably prescribe, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive exercise program for older adults.