Participatory exercise programs ought to include education on advantages of regular physical activity and risks of a sedentary lifestyle, its impact on cardiovascular health and diseases, its relationship with weight control and stress management, and aerobic exercise choices.
Discussion and practice of safe principles of exercise – warm up, cool down, frequency, intensity, duration, flexibility and strength components. the program follows guidelines by the American College of Sports Medicine.
Safety precautions should include the following –
• Informed consent prior to starting exercise with clear and complete written and verbal instructions of possible risk, purpose of exercise, exercise format to be followed, opportunity for questions, and a signed informed consent with date.
• A screening/evaluation of participants to determine when medical examination is necessary for exercise like the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q, see forms).
• Measurements of blood pressure (BP) and resting heart rate are useful screening information to determine exercise readiness.
• Participants who fail screening are medically referred and should obtain a written clearance from their doctor to exercise.
• The basic content of an group fitness program should include –
Warm up 5 – 10 minutes
Aerobic exercise 20 – 40 minutes
Cool down 5 – 10 minutes
Exercise instructors should’ve education and training in exercise physiology, physical education, physical therapy or comparable discipline, or possess a current certification by a nationally recognized sports medicine or exercise association, and be CPR licensed.
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