| Obesity is creeping its way into the lives of everyone | | | | handicapped person, change is not addressed lightly. |
| in society, including the special populations. Obesity is | | | | Remaining consistent on time allows the client to |
| causing a quick deterioration of the quality of life | | | | enter the workout session prepared and mentally |
| special population clients could have, despite other | | | | focused. Fourth, use all types of equipment for |
| mental limitations. Problems such as: hypertension, | | | | exercising. Creativity can go a long way! I use paper |
| high cholesterol, diabetes, blood clots, heart risks, skin | | | | plates, balloons, parachutes, dowel rods, bouncy balls, |
| irritations, etc. all plague society today--but in the | | | | ribbons, as well as standard exercise equipment for |
| case of the mentally handicapped, these problems | | | | each session. Exercising should seem like a "game" or |
| are intensified. Unfortunately, there is little information | | | | "event" each time the client shows up to participate. |
| around on how to safely and effectively administer | | | | As far as developing a program, initially I check with |
| an exercise program to the mentally-challenged. In | | | | the clients' physician for clearance before beginning. |
| addition, most caretakers do not have the time, | | | | Second, I notify the guardian and caretaker of the |
| knowledge, or motivation to promote a healthy | | | | plan so everyone is onboard with the idea. Third, I |
| lifestyle-change--or are suffering from the same | | | | meet with the client to discuss what he or she likes |
| health problems related to being overweight, as the | | | | and dislikes, what he or she hopes to do, and I also |
| people they take care of--and therefore, are not | | | | get a feel for the cognitive and physical capabilities of |
| helping the problem. | | | | the client through this interview. We will visit the |
| With that said, there is a rising need for caretakers, | | | | place where we will workout to familiarize he or she |
| health care workers, family members, etc. to become | | | | with the settings, etc. Finally, we meet the first time |
| knowledgeable on ways to confront this growing | | | | and begin the program. I sit down the first day and |
| epidemic! I have focused my attention as a fitness | | | | the clients' caretaker and myself, and the client make |
| professional on providing healthy exercise classes and | | | | a grocery list encompassing all the meals, snacks, and |
| personal training sessions to this special population. | | | | treats that the client will be able to have to eat from |
| Based on my experience, there are very effective | | | | then on. I make sure the client provides as much |
| ways to incorporate healthy changes to the lives of | | | | insight as possible and offer healthier alternatives to |
| these people. As with any exercise program for any | | | | what he or she chooses. |
| individual, motivation is key. I first want to list some | | | | Then I introduce a calendar and 3 or 4 body weight |
| suggestions on improving adherence to a healthy | | | | exercises for the client to begin working on during |
| lifestyle. First off, the use of interactive charts for | | | | their own time. We do these exercises every |
| tracking progress are a good starting tool. I make | | | | workout session as part of his or her warm-up to |
| each of my clients a chart (measuring whatever we | | | | help him or her remember the movements. I have |
| deem important to measure) and I give them | | | | the client chart the times he or she does the |
| stickers to post on each day or time he or she | | | | workout on the calendar--at the end of each month |
| becomes closer to his/her goal. For example, I had a | | | | a reward is provided for the time invested. I try to |
| client measure how many servings of fruit she ate | | | | incorporate very functional movements into the |
| each day...so for each serving of fruit she put a | | | | program I design for each client, depending on his or |
| sticker on her calendar. This made her aware of | | | | her abilities and limitations, attention span, and desire |
| what she was eating and it gave her a goal to push | | | | to exercise. I try to meet with each client either in a |
| towards. Second, allow the client to choose one | | | | group setting or individually 2 times a week if at all |
| aspect of his/her exercise program. At the end of | | | | possible. Repetition, repetition, repetition. I also |
| each workout I allow the client to choose what he or | | | | provide educational information for the caretakers to |
| she wants to do, whether it be shoot baskets, ride | | | | best help incorporate the program I am introducing |
| the bikes, swim, play racquetball, do yoga, etc. This | | | | through monthly nutrition and exercise seminars. |
| provides the client something to work toward during | | | | I have experienced great success with weight loss, |
| each exercise session, as well as provide a sense of | | | | improved range of motion, program adherence, and |
| control on the part of the client. Third, remain | | | | improved coordination and confidence with this |
| consistent week to week with scheduled exercise | | | | programming. I would love to help you or your facility |
| sessions and the amount of time each session lasts. | | | | adopt an improved quality of life. |
| Consistency is key in the mind of a mentally | | | | |