Recommending exercise to healthy older adults: the preparticipation evaluation and exercise prescription.

Abstract

The office-based preparticipation evaluation for older adults addresses cardiovascular status, muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and agility. The Kasch pulse-recovery test and the sit-and-reach test are practical methods for evaluating aerobic capacity and flexibility, respectively. Other measures, such as assessment of body composition or bone density, help establish goals and provide baselines for measuring exercise progress. The prescription for older people is aimed at maintaining current function and moving patients to the next activity level. The prescription specifies type, frequency, duration, and intensity of exercise. Case reports describe how key pieces of information from the preparticipation exam can lead to specific exercise recommendations.