Kenneth Gardner - FITNESS CLUB

As more of us start exercising, it is wise to ensure that our safety is not compromised. This will help us maintain higher levels of adherence and achievement.

It is relatively safe for most people under 45 years old (who appear healthy) to exercise without medical clearance. However, our cardiovascular system's reaction to intense physical activity cannot be guaranteed. There are risks of abnormal cardiovascular responses to physical activity, especially in people with a history of, or risk of pathological problems. Abnormalities can show up in our blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and state of consciousness.

Before we begin an exercise programme, it is prudent to assess our health status to ascertain if there are any health issues. This is quite pertinent for those who have been inactive and are not accustomed to intense physical activity. A health-risk appraisal should be completed prior to the commencement of an exercise programme. The need for the appraisal is not diagnostic but to identify if we are high risk or have specific cardiorespiratory or metabolic disease symptoms.

Check for health risks

The health-risk appraisal is primarily to protect us from the discomforts that could arise during participation in the activity. It helps to ascertain if there are problems that the exercise could make worse. It will also help the exercise prescription provider to give us a programme which is appropriate to our specific needs. The programme should encourage adherence and motivation.

The benefits of an exercise programme will be inconsequential if our safety is compromised. The health-risk appraisal is intended to be client friendly and is for our protection. It should not be taken lightly. If health problems were diagnosed or treated previously, the guidance of our health provider or physician is needed to ensure that our exercise prescription will address our specific needs.

Get medical clearance

If your response to any of the following questions is 'yes', you should consult a physician before you embark on a fitness programme.

Do you have, or ever had, any of the following conditions - shortness of breath, chest pain, coronary artery disease, chest pain when you are resting or during exercise, heart failure, rheumatic heart fever, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, a heart test that showed abnormalities, phlebitis, a family history of heart disease or sudden death before 60 years?

If you have any of the following conditions, you should also get medical clearance before you start an exercise programme — arthritis, rheumatism or gout, chronic low back pain, joint, bone or muscle problems. Similarly, people with chronic respiratory problems should seek medical advice. If you are obese or have an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia, medical clearance is also necessary.

It is important to provide correct responses so that where exercise is not advisable, other recommendations can be made.

Dr Kenneth Gardner is an exercise physiologist at Holiday Hills Research Center; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.