Medical-Fitness Technician
Certification Course
Part D: Medical-Fitness Training
Learning Modules: 35-38
Certification Course
Part D: Medical-Fitness Training
Learning Modules: 35-38
Learning Module 36:
Follow-Up
Follow-Up
Study the Learning Module and take the Quiz.
Learning Objectives
- Understand how the client's Stage of Change effects Follow-Up.
- Know the types, indications, and timeframes regarding Follow-Up Services.
Introduction
Therapeutic Fitness Training is the heart of Therapeutic Lifestyle Change. The Medical-Fitness Assessment and the initial Exercise Rx are of little value without appropriate Follow-Up. This is why a Follow-Up Recommendation is so important, and why it is included in every Exercise Rx.
Follow-Up Recommendations need to be personalized according to the client's needs and preferences. This is accomplished most efficiently by focusing on the client's next (short-term) fitness goal and in consideration of their fitness level and Stage of Change.
Follow-Up Recommendations need to be personalized according to the client's needs and preferences. This is accomplished most efficiently by focusing on the client's next (short-term) fitness goal and in consideration of their fitness level and Stage of Change.
Stages of Change
Your clients will be in one of the Stages of Change briefly described below:
- Contemplative Stage - Thinking about starting an exercise program and wants to know: a) How unfit am I?, and b) What are my options for getting more fit.
- Preparation Stage - Decided to get more fit and is developing a plan to start exercising regularly.
- Action Stage - Recently started exercising regularly and wants to know: a) Am I making any progress? b) Should I modify my fitness program to make it more effective?
- Maintenance Stage - Has been exercising regularly for a while and wants to know: a) Have I achieved my fitness goal? or b) Am I maintaining my improved fitness level?
As the Medical-Fitness Technician writing the Exercise Rx, you need to identify your client's Stage of Change in order to determine what his/her "next step" should be.
Basic Follow-Up Recommendations
Your objective is to help your clients either a) Engage in a personalized Therapeutic Fitness Training Program, or b) Stay engaged in an effective Therapeutic Fitness Training or Maintenance Program.
For clients in the Contemplative and Preparation Stages, you may want to offer a free Therapeutic Fitness Training session:
For clients in the Preparation and Action Stages, you definitly want to recommend:
For clients in the Maintenance Stage, you also definitly want to recommend:
The primary objective is to get and keep your client engaged in a personalized Therapeutic Fitness Training Program that will help him/her achieve and maintain his/her health and fitness goals.
For clients in the Contemplative and Preparation Stages, you may want to offer a free Therapeutic Fitness Training session:
- Helps your client engage in their Training Program immediately.
- Ensures proper technique to improve efficiency and avoid injury.
- Builds personal confidence and increases their enjoyment of exercising.
- Develops professional rapport and builds community with your other clients.
For clients in the Preparation and Action Stages, you definitly want to recommend:
- Therapeutic Fitness Training: Personal instruction for learning how to perform or modify the basic exercises.
- Follow-Up Assessments: Every 1-3 months, depending on your client's health status and fitness goals.
For clients in the Maintenance Stage, you also definitly want to recommend:
- Follow-Up Assessments: Every 3-6 months, depending on your client's health status and fitness goals.
- A referral to a personal trainer, nutritionist, or lifestyle coach for additional health and fitness services, if indicated.
The primary objective is to get and keep your client engaged in a personalized Therapeutic Fitness Training Program that will help him/her achieve and maintain his/her health and fitness goals.
In general, clients with higher levels of fitness generally need less training and should be given longer timeframes between their Follow-Up Assessments.
Note: A "training" session that is scheduled 1-2 weeks before the client's Follow-Up Assessment could be used as a less-formal or un-official Practice Assessment, especially for client's who are hoping to achieve the "next level" of fitness or who tend to experience "test anxiety."
New Clients - Every effort should be made to engage your new clients by having them commit to a personalized Therapeutic Fitness Training Program as soon as possible. However, this process must not be perceived by the client as "urgent" or "high-pressured." The client must make their own free-will decision in their own time and on their own terms. As their Medical-Fitness Technician, your role is to inform and encourage them, and to always respect their decision.
Current Clients - Every effort should be made to keep your current clients engaged in their personalized Therapeutic Fitness Training Programs as long as possible. The only "required" follow-up are the repeating Med-Fit Assessments to track their progress or maintenance and up-date their Exercise Rx's accordingly.
Also, routinely scheduling the client's Follow-Up Assessment immediately after each one (within the next 1-6 months) holds your client accountable and helps keep them committed and motivated. Appropriately scheduled Follow-Ups are in your clients' best interest, because accountability, commitment, and internal motivation are the best indicators for long-term success.
Your recommended Follow-Up services must not be perceived by the client as "excessive" or "obligatory." The client must agree to the recommended type and frequency of services. As their Medical-Fitness Technician, your role is to provide the highest quality and value in delivering those services that are important and helpful to them.
The more satisfied your clients are with their results and with the delivery of your services in helping them:
Note: A "training" session that is scheduled 1-2 weeks before the client's Follow-Up Assessment could be used as a less-formal or un-official Practice Assessment, especially for client's who are hoping to achieve the "next level" of fitness or who tend to experience "test anxiety."
New Clients - Every effort should be made to engage your new clients by having them commit to a personalized Therapeutic Fitness Training Program as soon as possible. However, this process must not be perceived by the client as "urgent" or "high-pressured." The client must make their own free-will decision in their own time and on their own terms. As their Medical-Fitness Technician, your role is to inform and encourage them, and to always respect their decision.
Current Clients - Every effort should be made to keep your current clients engaged in their personalized Therapeutic Fitness Training Programs as long as possible. The only "required" follow-up are the repeating Med-Fit Assessments to track their progress or maintenance and up-date their Exercise Rx's accordingly.
Also, routinely scheduling the client's Follow-Up Assessment immediately after each one (within the next 1-6 months) holds your client accountable and helps keep them committed and motivated. Appropriately scheduled Follow-Ups are in your clients' best interest, because accountability, commitment, and internal motivation are the best indicators for long-term success.
Your recommended Follow-Up services must not be perceived by the client as "excessive" or "obligatory." The client must agree to the recommended type and frequency of services. As their Medical-Fitness Technician, your role is to provide the highest quality and value in delivering those services that are important and helpful to them.
The more satisfied your clients are with their results and with the delivery of your services in helping them:
- The more they will appreciate your services.
- The more likely they will be to utilize your services frequently.
- The more likely they will refer their family and friends to you.
Other Follow-Up Recommendations
Medical-Fitness Technicians are Health & Fitness Professionals. It is important for you to be aware of and concerned about the health and wellness needs of each of your clients -- not just their fitness. To this end, you should be familiar with the free online Therapeutic Lifestyle Change resources at www.OptiHealthChoices.com.
Be especially sensitive to the needs of your clients who are overweight, obese, or have chronic lifestyle-related medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or heart disease. Every one of these clients should get a personalized referral to a Medical-Nutrition Technician who can assess your client's eating patterns, nutritional status, and caloric needs as part of a personalized and comprehensive Therapeutic Lifestyle Change program.
We strongly recommended faith-based Therapeutic Lifestyle Change (TLC) Programs because after years of unhealthy habits, the power to change from a trusted and reliable source is the only hope for long-term success. Also, be sure to assure your clients when you make a referral that you will continue to provide their Therapeutic Fitness Services.
Be especially sensitive to the needs of your clients who are overweight, obese, or have chronic lifestyle-related medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or heart disease. Every one of these clients should get a personalized referral to a Medical-Nutrition Technician who can assess your client's eating patterns, nutritional status, and caloric needs as part of a personalized and comprehensive Therapeutic Lifestyle Change program.
We strongly recommended faith-based Therapeutic Lifestyle Change (TLC) Programs because after years of unhealthy habits, the power to change from a trusted and reliable source is the only hope for long-term success. Also, be sure to assure your clients when you make a referral that you will continue to provide their Therapeutic Fitness Services.
Consider adding a few lifestyle-related "Fitness Support Recommendations" to your client's Exercise Rx, such as:
- Pray for Grace & Courage
- Get 7+ hrs of Sleep on a Regular Cycle
- Eat LESS Meat, Dairy, and Processed Foods
- Eat MORE Whole Plant Foods
- No Snacking between Meals
- Seek Truth, Glorify God!
Free Resources for Your Clients
(Click on the graphics below for more information.)
(Click on the graphics below for more information.)
1. The optional 3-part Video Seminar by the OptiHealth Institute linked below is 36 minutes in total. Although strongly recommended for all our Med-Fit Tech students, the information presented in this seminar series is not part of the required material for your certification, and you will not be tested on it. It is part of the training curriculum for getting certified as a Therapeutic Lifestyle Coach.
2. Free Online Resources for Therapeutic Lifestyle Change:
