Assessment of Older Adults - Assignment Example

? Assessment of Older Adults Assessment of Older Adults More than often, older adults participate in different physical activities as a way of keeping both physical and health fitness level. Nevertheless, as they grow older, they experience changes in their body physique especially as their muscular strength and flexibility of the bones decreases, as they become exposed to different dangers that come with the physical activities. Because the older adults, wish to engage in physical exercises to prevent many health complications that come about with aging as they grow older and strengthen their muscles they have to take specific precautions while carrying out exercise and fitness test. As a result, it is critical to evaluate an individual’s physical fitness level to check for health complications. As a way of measuring the physical fitness level of an older adult, it is vital to carry out an evaluation through the PAR-Q rating, health status, general medical history, risk factors and precautions, medications, health and lifestyle related behaviors. Considerably, it is also critical to carry out testing of CRF, endurance, flexibility, and strength, body composition, nutrition, readiness for change, motivational strategies and finally give recommendations on behavior modifications based on the assessment. PAR-Q rating In most cases, assessment of the PAR-Q rating using the president’s council on physical fitness and sports tests questionnaire ascertains an individual’s agility towards physical activity. Therefore, the president’s council on physical fitness and sports test remains vital, Johnson pointed out that he does not have any heart complication and joint problems that could hinder his engagement in physical activity. In addition, the questionnaire focuses on whether Johnson has had dizziness or unconsciousness besides chest complications, but his response indicated that he suffered from no chest complications, but he complained of dizziness when he did not have enough rest however, this did not hinder his participation in physical exercise (Howley & Franks, 2007). Johnson also indicated that he is not on any medication or using prescribed drugs from any physician. Nevertheless, the result from the questionnaire on PAR-Q rating indicates that even though, Johnson feels dizzy he is physically fit to engage in non-vigorous physical activity recommended for participants of over sixty-five years. Health Status More significantly, an assessment of Johnson’s health status indicates that even though, he suffers from dizziness he remains physically fit to undertake any physical activities for older adults of his age group. Even though, Johnson has a good health status with no complications that have been ascertained so far by the doctor that could restrain him from engaging in normal physical activities (Howley & Franks, 2007). It is exceptional for caution to be taken on Johnson’s health status especially because cardiovascular complications among such older adults could hinder them from being physical active, as a distinct health precaution to follow. General Medical History In physical activity, the medical history affects the exercise process based on an individual’s health status. Through assessment of individual medical history records of complications that would hinder an individual from participating in physical exercise is sought from a physician’s advice. More than often, complications of heart diseases, asthma, pulmonary and diabetes are common as they hinder one from engaging in exercises. An assessment of Johnson medical history indicates that he has no medical complication history as he engages in simple physical activity. Therefore, Johnson remains physically fit to engage in any physical activity that older adults can engage in at ease. Assessment results on testing CRF, Endurance, Flexibility, and Strength More than often, instructors ascertain the levels of CRF, endurance, flexibility and strength before engaging older adults in physical exercises. With a stable heart rate, and a flexible level through the sit and reach level Johnson can engage in non-strenuous physical activity considering his age (Howley & Franks, 2007). Johnson indicates that his engagement in physical exercise since when he was young has given him a muscle flexibility level that could allow him to engage in physical practice. As an adult, who engages in physical exercise, the VO2 max of eighty indicates an excellent rating scale for physical fitness. In addition, Johnson has good muscle strength and endurance tests as he has a considerable lean strength and proper bone density for older adults within his age group. Risk Factors and Precautions More importantly, analysis of the risk factor in an older adult depends on cardiovascular, metabolic and pulmonary disease (Marcus & Forsyth, 2009). More so, as any other older adult who wish to keep healthy and physically fit it is recommendable for Johnson to avoid strenuous activities that could lead to common cardiovascular diseases among adults. As a result, he should monitor his blood pressure and heart rate while avoiding exercises in extreme environmental conditions and changes in climate that would expose him to health complications. Nonetheless, Johnson is at medium risk level, so there is a need for minimal l attention especially in the physical activity he takes part should be advisable for older adults (Howley & Franks, 2007). Medications More than often, physical activities are limited by prescribed medications that could limit engagement in physical activity. Johnson indicates that he has medication for a minor ailment and is not on any continuous medication because he is at no risk of cardiovascular complications (Howley & Franks, 2007). This therefore, indicates that Johnson can participate in any physical activity because there is no medication that could increase the risk of engagement in any physical activity. Health and Lifestyle Related Behaviors As an individual interested in keeping fit, Johnson indicated that he actively engaged in physical activities that include running around three times a week for a short distance, besides being involved in swimming twice week. In addition, Johnson and his family take walks every evening besides being involved in bone strengthening exercises. Johnson believes that his engagement in such quality and quantity exercises is meant for his development and maintenance of physical and health fitness (Howley & Franks, 2007). Body Composition More than often, body composition plays a significant role in physical activity based on the height and weight ratio and the body mass index. Being an older adult Johnson body mass index level indicate that he is fit for normal exercise because he is not obese, which shows he has a healthy level of body composition for engaging in physical exercise. More so, Johnson’s height to weight ratio indicate a girth measurements levels for a normal older individual who is physically fit for any exercise for his age (Marcus & Forsyth, 2009). Nutrition In most cases, physical exercise instructors’ emphasis on the fact that nutrition plays a more significant role in engagement in exercises intensity levels for participants (Howley & Franks, 2007). Johnson emphasizes that he is strict on his diet as he undertakes special caution on meals according to schedule with limited intake of calorie level of thirty to forty grams. As a result, Johnson emphasizes on eating foods similar to that of vegetarians as he ensures to maintain high metabolism levels by eating within time intervals. He ensures he eats a balanced diet as it helps me to keep physically fit while undertaking exercises. Readiness for Change As an active individual who engages in physical activity regularly, Johnson points out that he feels undertaking physical activity is part of his life. More so, he has developed a high level of readiness to change as he undertakes exercises through routine training to ensure that he maintains a high level of strengthened masculine and bones as he grows up. As he attributes his healthiness to physical exercise, Johnson has developed a positive attitude, as he remains highly motivated to exercise frequently (Marcus & Forsyth, 2009). Motivational Strategies More than often, motivational strategies ensure that an individual participate more in physical activities they enjoy. Johnson attributes his motivation from supportive family and friends who also engage in physical exercise actively (Howley & Franks, 2007). In addition, Johnson indicates that he remains healthy and physically relaxed to continuously engage in physical exercise because of many benefits he derives. Evaluation and Recommendations Because physical activity fitness level, affects physical and health fitness it is critical to focus on behavior modification and exercise prescription. It is essential for instructors to insist on older adults engagement in physical activity as a way of keeping an individual’s body physically fit. More significantly, it is essential to focus on maintaining achievable goals that enhance continuous positive behavior change (Howley & Franks, 2007). Through the model of behavioral change, practical strategies motivate behavior changes that enhance a positive trend towards keeping physically and healthy fit. References. Howley, E. & Franks, B. (2007). Fitness professional's handbook. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Marcus, B. & Forsyth, L. (2009). Motivating people to be physically active. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Read More