A comprehensive program designed to provide fitness and health professionals with education to help them make safe and effective decisions when developing and delivering activity and exercise programs for the older adult.

 

In the next 30 years the Canadian and global population will age considerably creating a growth in the number of older adults. This growth in the number of “older” Canadians will put a great deal of pressure on the health care system and creates a big opportunity for fitness professionals. Fitness and recreation centres are perfect locations to provide physical activity and exercise programs for older adults providing they have qualified staff to work with this specialized population group. The OAS program is designed to provide fitness and health professionals with education to help them make safe and effective decisions when developing and delivering activity and exercise programs for the older adult.

The Older Adult Fitness Specialist Course

This is a comprehensive 16 hour course that will increase your knowledge and practical skills for older adult fitness.

Topics include

• The definition of aging and the demographics of the aging population
• The physiological changes associated with aging
• The benefits of physical activity and fitness on aging
• Physical evaluation of older adults
• How to meet the needs of older adults and market to this group
• Practical ways to design specific and individualized exercise plans for an older adult in group exercise and in personal training

*For successful completion of the OAS course, a current certification as a fitness instructor or personal trainer or previous training and knowledge related to individual or group instruction, anatomy and physiology is highly recommended.

The Older Adult Fitness Specialist Course Manual

canfitpro has developed an excellent manual to be used for the Older Adult Fitness Specialist course and certification exam. We have worked with renowned Canadian and International authors to create a cutting edge resource that captures all the necessary components of fitness for older adults. The strength of the writing team is based on their knowledge of the theory, practical and business skills required to work successfully with this population. This is a unique resource that will serve as an excellent foundation to help create a strong understanding and application of exercise and aging concepts.

The Older Adult Fitness Specialist Exam

We recommend that candidates attempt the exam approximately four (4) to six (6) weeks after taking the course. This time frame is recommended in order to allow candidates to properly prepare for the exam. Those who choose the option to progress and become a certified Older Adult Fitness Specialist will complete a theory and practical exam. These two components evaluate the candidate’s knowledge and understanding, as well as the ability to apply the theory to provide safe and effective exercise options for the older adult population. This certification provides specialized skills for fitness and health professionals and gives them an enhanced ability to safely work with older adults.

A Certified Older Adult Fitness Specialist Provides:

• Current information about the necessary precautions for older adult fitness
• Practical advice for setting fitness goals with currently active and newly active older adults
• Practical modifications for exercise intensity and exercise techniques
• A specialized approach to exercise and activity for an older adult
• Older adult fitness information, activity choices and individualized program design