Most older people will exercise just fine on their own, without advice from a fitness instructor. Some have special needs and may want to consult a professional. If you decide to seek advice, how can you tell whom to trust? Anyone can call himself or herself a fitness professional, and many people do - but that doesn't always mean they have the training to help older people exercise safely and effectively.

Instructors who aren't trained to work with older adults, specifically, might not be aware of their needs. For example, they might not know that certain conditions or medications can change older people's heart rates or that people with osteoporosis risk spine fractures if they do some types of forward-bending exercises incorrectly. Doctors who specialize in sports medicine are highly qualified to help you exercise the right way.

So are professionals who have a college degree in physical therapy or exercise physiology, particularly when it comes to helping you start an exercise program tailored to your needs, building it up to your best possible level, then showing you how to continue safely on your own.

Physical therapists are legally licensed health professionals. Their training makes them well qualified to design exercise plans for older people, especially those who have conditions affecting their muscles and skeletal systems, or nervous system conditions that affect their muscles.

Some physical therapists take special training for a certification in geriatrics from their national licensing board. Although physical therapists can work with anyone, doctors often refer patients with special needs to them.

An excellent resource that trains and certifies people to work with older adults and others in the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). The ACSM is made up of health professionals and scientists with an interest in fitness.

Some of its members are among the nation's leading experts on the topic of exercise and physical activity. If the professional you consult is ACSM-certified to work with older people, he or she is likely to be well qualified to help you design a safe, effective exercise plan.

ACSM-certified fitness instructors work in a variety of settings; for example, you might find them leading hospital-based exercise programs for older adults, working with older people in exercise studies, or working as personal trainers.

Cardiologists can advise you on how to improve your cardiovascular system through endurance exercise. Orthopedic doctors can help you understand how to prevent injuries to your muscles, bones, and other structures.

Many hospitals and health maintenance organizations now include wellness centers that offer exercise programs. Some colleges and universities hold special exercise classes for older adults or conduct studies on exercise for older people.

It's likely that the fitness instructors hired by these types of organizations are carefully screened and are qualified to teach you how to exercise correctly. Try calling them to find a fitness professional in your area. Most older adults won't need to consult a fitness instructor. If you have special needs, your doctor probably will refer you to a specific, qualified professional. But if you look for an instructor independently, ask for his or her credentials.

Any instructor who is qualified to work with older people is likely to be proud of his or her credentials and will be happy to share them with you. Also ask about expense. Costs vary, and insurance plans differ as to what kinds of services they will cover.

(Courtesy of the National Institute of Aging)

Jacqui

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