Older Adult Fitness

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

We require current certification as a fitness instructor or personal trainer to attend this course and certification exam. Health care professionals are also eligible to attend.

The Older Adult Fitness Specialist Course Manual

Can-Fit-Pro 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

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

Older Adult Fitness Specialist
Scope of Ability
A Can-Fit-Pro certified Older Adult Fitness Specialist is qualified to:

• Teach the specific needs and abilities with regards to physical fitness for older adults within the boundaries of information provided in the Older Adult Fitness Specialist program.
• Work directly with a team of health care professionals to provide the highest level of care by having each individual complete the mandatory Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) and the PARmed-X documents by Health Canada.
• Provide a progressive ongoing exercise program design while working in conjunction with appropriate health care professionals at all times.
• Create a professional environment whereby the independent inactive, independent active and physically elite older adult can improve or maintain all aspects of their physical function.
• Promote the benefits of regular physical activity combined with a healthy and balanced diet using Canada’s Physical Activity Guide for Older Adults and Canada’s Food Guide as references.
• Provide emergency care based on the participant needs (contact EMS, provide Emergency First Aid or CPR).

As a certified Fitness Instructor for Older Adults, I agree to provide a safe and effective group exercise class that provides appropriate exercise selection and intensity to meet the individual needs of each older adult in the group.
As a certified Personal Trainer for Older Adults, I agree to provide a safe and effective individual exercise program that provides appropriate exercise selection and intensity to meet the individual needs of each older adult client.
As a certified Older Adult Fitness Specialist (OAS), I agree to respect my role, abide by the Code of Ethics and work within my Scope of Ability at all times.
I recognize that failure to follow this Scope of Ability will result in immediate removal of my OAS certification designation.

To download to the Older Adult Fitness Specialist Scope of Ability, click here.