Senior Fitness: Cardiovascular Programs

Senior Fitness
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Senior Fitness
Short Answer Questions
Question 1:
Several issues are encountered when planning a cardiovascular program for older adult clients. To begin with, older adults generally have reduced fitness levels as their bodies’ capacity to handle exercise is lowered. Moreover, they are prone to falling when they lose balance due to their physical frailty. Another issue is the impact of the many health limitations that older people tend to experience. As opined by Zaleski (2016), primary aging is accompanied by chronic diseases, thus negatively affecting health outcomes, functional capacity, and the quality of life, especially in older people. To deal with reduced fitness levels, adjustments should be on the intensity of physical activity to match each patient’s fitness level. Further, the risk of falling can be minimized through types of exercise that improve balance. Finally, the impact of chronic illnesses can be reduced by regulating physical activity based on the nature of the chronic illness a client suffers from.
Question 2:
Forms of cardiovascular exercise recommended for a client in a wheelchair include wheelchair workout, swimming, use of rowing machines adapted for use on wheelchairs, wheelchair sprinting such as in a studio or track, as well as wheelchair sports such as netball, badminton, and basketball. Some of these activities can be performed individually, but it’s helpful to be in the company of an instructor or another wheelchair user to improve the cardiovascular exercise regimen. Accordingly, wheelchair users need support because they may not complete balanced physical activities on their own. For instance, repeated pushing motions for most exercises for people on wheelchairs may only strengthen muscles on the arms, chest, and shoulders, while back muscles may become weaker as they are rarely worked.
Question 3:
Four phases constitute the Strength and Endurance Program. In Phase I (endurance), there are moderate sets, high repetitions, low intensity, and short rest intervals. This Phase is great for transitioning between routines. Further, Phase II (necessary strength) has moderate sets, repetitions, intensity, as well as rest intervals. Consequently, this Phase is suitable for all-round basic strength training. Furthermore, Phase III (power) is characterized by high sets, low repetitions, high intensity, and long rest intervals. Correspondingly, these characteristics make it possible to exert maximal effort within a short duration. Finally, Phase IV (individualized) features moderate to high sets, low to moderate repetitions, moderate to high intensity, and moderate to long rest intervals. Accordingly, these characteristics make the fourth Phase suitable for cross-training. It is noteworthy that Phases I and II are less vigorous than phases III and IV. Older adults do not exceed Phase II. However, young and healthy adults can build their strength and endurance from Phase I to Phase IV.
Question 4:
If I had a client who had trouble getting her heavier groceries from her car to her home, I would recommend strength exercises with her bodyweight, weights using dumbbells or resistance bands,...