Medical-Fitness Technician
Certification Course
Part E: Providing Med-Fit Services (LM:39-44)
Learning Module 44:
Follow-Up Assessment
Study the Module and do the Lab.
Learning Objectives
  • Know the components of the Follow-Up Assessment
  • Become familiar with the form for documenting a Follow-Up Assessment
Each Follow-Up Assessment gets easier for both the client and the Medical-Fitness Technician. Although the Baseline Assessment was more involved and free, the real value of your client's personalized Medical-Fitness Program is in the Follow-Up Assessments.

Follow-Up Assessments are designed to:
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of the client's Fitness Program.
  • Track the client's progress towards their Fitness Goal.
  • Measure the client's degree of compliance to their Fitness Program.
  • Identify the specific obstacles to fully implementing the Fitness Program.
  • Motivate the client by keeping them accountable and getting results.

Follow-Up Assessments are affordable and convenient:
  • Recommended every 3-6 months.
  • Costs only $10 if accompanied by a new client (otherwise it costs $15).
  • Available on any Clinic day during regular hours.
  • Clients may "drop-in" any time. No appointment is necessary.
  • Clients may pay in advance online or onsite by credit/debit card.
  • If a client prefers a specific Med-Fit Tech, scheduling a pre-paid appointment is required.
Follow-Up Status:
  • Use the client's Med-Fit Progress Chart to record their current Training Status.
  • You have already printed the form linked above. Refer to it regarding the points below.
  • After the client has checked-in with the Clinic Manager and paid for their Follow-Up Assessment, get the client's Clinic Chart.
  • Find the client's Med-Fit Progress Chart (a form in their Clinic Chart).
  • Introduce yourself to the client and thank them for coming in today - "Hi, my name is (First & Last Name). I am a Medical-Fitness Technician. Thank you for coming in today. I will be glad to do your Follow-Up Assessment. " 
  • Ask - "Do you have your Med-Fit Training Logs with you?"
  • Even though clients are instructed (encouraged) to bring their filled-out Fitness Training Logs, many will conveniently forget -- probably because they did not keep good records, but the fact that they returned for a Follow-Up means they are serious about getting more fit and can be trusted to answer your questions accurately.
  • In the Status column, write-in today's Date (D).
  • Calculate the client's current Age (A) in Years & Months. Record as YY.MM (example: 38.04)
  • Determine the # of Weeks (W) that have elapsed since the client's previous Med-Fit Assessment.
  • Refer to the Calendar App on your smart phone to count the weeks. 
  • If the client presents their Training Logs, scan them over to get a sense of the frequency, duration, and intensity of their Fitness Program looking for patterns of progression.
  • Before giving the client a Grade (G), ask - "How do you think you're doing with your Fitness Training Program?"
  • After a brief discussion about the client's efforts and results, Grade your client's compliance and explain.
  • A = Excellent, B = Good, C = Needs Improvement, D = Exercise Rx has to be changed.

If the client is struggling, be sure to focus more on how their Training Program can be adjusted to help them adhere more closely to it, rather than focusing on the client's failure to "do whatever it takes" to adhere to it. The best fitness training program is the program that the client will actually do, even if it takes more time for them to make the necessary changes and achieve their goals.
Weight-Loss:
  • Use the client's Med-Fit Progress Chart to record their weight-loss progress.
  • Get the cIient's current Weight (W). IF the client had + pounds overweight on their Baseline Assessment:
  • Compare the client's current weight to their Baseline Weight (and any previous Follow-Up Assessment Weights in between).
  • Also consider the Dates -- How many weeks have elapsed since their Baseline Assessment (and each previous Assessment).
  • Determine how many Pounds (P) the client has lost or gained since their previous Assessment.
  • Calculate the client's average Rate (R) of Weight-Loss since their Baseline Weight.
  • Weight-Loss Rate Formula: Total Pounds Lost / Total Weeks = Pounds Lost / Week. (0.5 pounds/week is perfect!)
  • Compare the client's current Weight to their Target Weight.
  • Compare the Pounds Lost to their Pounds OverWeight on their Baseline Assessment.
  • Calculate the # of Weeks (W) to go at their averaged rate of weight-loss to achieve their Target Weight.
  • Example: The client was 20 POW at Baseline. The client lost 4 pounds over 8 weeks (0.5 pounds/week). They are now 16 POW. Their Target Date is in 32 weeks (16/0.5) or roughly 8 months -- IF they continue at the same rate of weight-loss.
  • Discuss with the client what they are doing nutritionally, and how they feel about their weight-loss efforts.
  • Determine if the client has had, plans to get, or wants a referral for a free Medical-Nutrition Assessment.

​If the client is struggling, be sure to emphasize the importance of consistency and perseverance. Losing a half-pound a week on average adds up over time, and combined with their fitness program, they are not only losing fat weight, they are developing their muscles and changing their lifestyle. So, their lost weight will be permanent and their health and quality of life will be greatly improved.
Fitness Testing:
  • Use the client's Med-Fit Progress Chart to record their test results and your calculations.
  • Refer to your "Fitness Test Formula" form on your clipboard if you need any reminders regarding each Test's details.
  • Have the client do the different exercises in order over the next 15 minutes (or 30 minutes of testing in pairs).
  • Ideally for comparison, the same Aerobic Fitness Test should be done as before (Shuttle or Treadmill), but switching is acceptable in case of weather.
  • Compare your client's current Fitness Scores for aerobic capacity and each muscle group to their previous Fitness Scores.
  • Compare your client's Total Fitness Score to their previous Total Fitness Score.
  • Evaluate their progress towards their next Fitness Level.
  • Briefly discuss the client's intentions regarding their Fitness Training Program.
Exercise Rx Up-Date:
  • You have already printed the form linked above. Refer to it regarding the points below.
  • Use another clinic-specific Exercise Rx form for writing an up-dated Exercise Rx & Follow-Up.
  • If the client is obese, start by writing out the client's weight status on the reverse side of the Rx form.
  • Include: Current Weight (and BMI), Pounds Overweight, Target Weight, their current Weight-Loss Rate, and Goal Date.
  • Inquire if the client is interested in a free Medical-Nutrition Assessment, and if so, make the Referral.
  • Use the Exercise Rx Chart as a guide to writing your client's personalized Exercise Rx.
  • On the front-side of the Rx form, read the Rx out loud to your client as you fill-in the numbers.
  • Fill-in the spaces based on the client's new Total Fitness (Med-Fit) Score.
  • Negotiate with your client their new minimum "sessions per week" number.
New Follow-Up Recommendations:
  • Training Sessions: 2 for $5 (the 2 free sessions are only available after the client's Baseline Assessment).
  • Follow-Up Consult: $10 -- optional. Preferably half way in between their next Follow-Up Assessment
  • The client can decide later whether or not to come in for a Follow-Up Consult depending on how they are doing.
  • Follow-Up Assessment: $15 (minus $5 if the client brings a friend for their free Baseline Assessment).
  • -- Optional, but strongly recommended every 12 to 24 weeks, depending on their fitness level and goals.
  • Use the Follow-Up Timeframes Chart to determine how many weeks from today based on their new Total Fitness Score.
  • The client can decide later whether or not to come in for their Follow-Up Assessment.