Physical Activity Instruction of Older Adults is the first book to detail the fundamental knowledge and skills associated with the training modules outlined in the International Curriculum Guidelines for Preparing Physical Activity Instructors of Older Adults. The curriculum guidelines, published in 2004, were developed by an international coalition of senior fitness specialists.
Physical Activity Instruction of Older Adults presents the competency-based objectives that fitness instructors should know and be able to perform to lead safe and effective physical activity programs for older adults with diverse functional capabilities.
A comprehensive blend of theory, practical content, and detailed instruction, the text is organized into five parts:
Part I introduces the new field of gerokinesiology; provides an overview of the aging process; and discusses the benefits of an active lifestyle in disease prevention, health promotion, and quality of life.
Part II provides information and guidelines for preexercise screenings and assessments, client feedback, and goal setting.
Part III focuses on the core fitness and skill components of a well-rounded physical activity program for older adults, including warm-up and cool-down, flexibility and resistance training, aerobic exercise, and balance and mobility training.
Part IV introduces specialty program and training methods, including exercise such as yoga, aquatic exercise, and master athlete training.
Part V covers how to apply principles of motor learning to program design; teaching, leadership, and motivational skills; special considerations for specific medical conditions; and legal and professional ethics and standards for instructors.
Application activities at the end of each chapter help the reader to synthesize the information and prepare them to design well-rounded physical activity programs for older adults. Other student-friendly elements include chapter objectives, introductions, summaries, study questions, key terms, and key points. In addition, numerous photos, figures, and tables make the book not just interesting, but visually appealing as well. This book is ideal for undergraduate students, and it is an excellent reference for physical activity instructors of older adults, fitness specialists, personal trainers, and activity directors.
Part I. Overview of Aging and Physical Activity
Chapter 1. The Field of Gerokinesiology
Demographics of Older Adults
Benefits of Physical Activity
Defining Old Age
Gerokinesiology: A New Field of Study
Curriculum Development
Summary
Key Terms
Recommended Readings
Study Questions
Application Activities
Chapter 2. Predictors of Successful Aging
Biological Theories of Aging
Physical Activity As a Determinant of Successful Aging
Summary
Key Terms
Recommended Readings
Study Questions
Application Activities
Chapter 3. Psychological and Sociocultural Aspects of Physical Activity for Older Adults
Aging Stereotypes
Physical Activity, Psychological Well-Being, and Quality of Life
Social Implications of Regular Physical Activity
Promoting Physical Activity
Summary
Key Terms
Recommended Readings
Study Questions
Application Activities
Chapter 4. Physiological Aspects of Aging
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Function
Muscle Function
Joint Mobility
Bone Mass
Neurological Function
Summary
Key Terms
Recommended Readings
Study Questions
Application Activities
Part II. Screening, Assessment, and Goal Setting
Chapter 5. Preexercise and Health Screening
Preexercise Screening
Screening Steps
Additional Screening Tools
Implications for Program Design and Management
Summary
Key Terms
Recommended Readings
Study Questions
Application Activities
Chapter 6. Field-Based Physical and Mobility Assessments
Functional Fitness Framework
Considerations for Test Selection and Evaluation
Selected Assessment Tools
Guidelines for Group Testing
Interpreting Test Results
Summary
Key Terms
Recommended Readings
Study Questions
Application Activities
Chapter 7. Laboratory-Based Physiological Assessment of Older Adults
Cardiorespiratory Function
Muscular Strength
Body Composition
Balance
Summary
Key Terms
Recommended Readings
Study Questions
Application Activities
Chapter 8. Goal Setting and Behavioral Management
Factors Influencing Older Adults’ Exercise Participation
Strategies for Behavioral Change
Physically Active Lifestyles
Implications for Program Design and Management
Summary
Key Terms
Recommended Readings
Study Questions
Application Activities
Part III. Core Program Principles and Training Methods
Chapter 9. A New Approach to Designing Exercise Programs for Older Adults
Heterogeneity of Older Adults
Optimizing Physical Function Through Exercise
Exercise Variables and Principles for Program Design
Specific Exercise Principles for Older Adults
Summary
Key Terms
Recommended Readings
Study Questions
Application Activities
Chapter 10. Principles of the Warm-Up and Cool-Down
Physiological Changes Associated with Warm-Up
Physiological Changes Associated with Cool-Down
Guiding Principles of the Warm-Up
Developing the Warm-Up
Developing the Cool-Down
Summary
Key Terms
Recommended Readings
Study Questions
Application Activities
Chapter 11. Flexibility Training
Age-Associated Changes in Flexibility
Types of Stretching Techniques
Incorporating Flexibility Training Into the Exercise Program
Examples of Flexibility Exercises
Summary
Key Terms
Recommended Readings
Study Questions
Application Activities
Chapter 12. Resistance Training
Benefits of Resistance Training
Principles of Resistance Training
Training Components and Variables
Resistance Training for Older Adults
Summary
Key Terms
Recommended Readings
Study Questions
Application Activities
Chapter 13. Aerobic Endurance Training
Benefits of Aerobic Endurance Training for Older Adults
Principles and Considerations for Aerobic Endurance Training
Variables for Aerobic Endurance Training
Types of Aerobic Exercises
Training Precautions
Implications for Program Design and Management
Summary
Key Terms
Recommended Readings
Study Questions
Application Activities
Chapter 14. Balance and Mobility Training
Age-Associated Changes in Balance and Mobility
Balance and Mobility Exercises
Manipulating the Challenge in a Group Setting
Summary
Key Terms
Recommended Readings
Study Questions
Application Activities
Part IV. Specialty Programs and Training Methods
Chapter 15. Mind-Body Exercise Training
Mindful Exercise
Mind-Body Exercise Programs
Implications for Program Design and Management
Mindful Exercise Precautions
Yoga and Tai Chi Teacher Training Resources
Summary
Key Terms
Recommended Readings
Study Questions
Application Activities
Chapter 16. Aquatic Training
Benefits of Aquatic Training
Considerations Unique to Aquatic Exercise
Aquatic Training Components
Summary
Key Terms
Recommended Readings
Study Questions
Application Activities
Chapter 17. Training Master Athletes
Master Athletes Defined
Principles of Training
Components of Master Athlete Training Programs
Training Precautions
Summary
Key Terms
Recommended Readings
Study Questions
Application Activities
Part V.Program Design, Leadership, and Risk Management
Chapter 18. Applying Motor Learning Principles to Program Design
Nervous System Changes and Motor Skill Learning
Movement Analysis of Skills
Motor Learning Principles for the Physical Activity Instructor
Summary
Key Terms
Recommended Readings
Study Questions
Application Activities
Chapter 19. Teaching and Leadership Skills
Teaching Skills
Leadership Skills
Summary
Key Terms
Recommended Readings
Study Questions
Application Activities
Chapter 20. Designing and Managing Group Conditioning Classes
Key Principles of Group Dynamics
Making Group Activity Fun
Records Management
Marketing Considerations
Summary
Key Terms
Recommended Readings
Study Questions
Application Activities
Chapter 21. Exercise Considerations for Medical Conditions
Cardiovascular Conditions
Pulmonary Disorders
Diabetes
Musculoskeletal Conditions
Neurological and Cognitive Conditions
Summary
Key Terms
Recommended Readings
Study Questions
Application Activities
Chapter 22. Legal Standards, Risk Management, and Professional Ethics
The Law and the Physical Activity Instructor
A Risk Management Plan
Ethical Guidelines for the Physical Activity Instructor
Summary
Key Terms
Recommended Readings
Study Questions
Application Activities
Appendix A. International Curriculum Guidelines for Preparing Physical Activity Instructors of Older Adults With the Aging and Life Course, World Health Organization
Appendix B. Professional Ethics for Personal Fitness Trainers
Appendix C. Professional Ethics for Group Fitness Instructors
Study Question Answer Key
References
Index
About the Editors
Reference for physical activity instructors of older adults, fitness specialists, personal trainers, activity directors, activity assistants, and therapeutic recreation specialists; textbook for undergraduate students.
C. Jessie Jones, PhD, is a professor in the division of kinesiology and health science, codirector of the Center for Successful Aging, and past director of the Lifespan Wellness Clinic and Gerontology Programs at California State University at Fullerton. She is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education. Dr. Jones has an extensive teaching and research background in the area of gerokinesiology. Her areas of specialty include assessing functional fitness of older adults, curriculum standards for training physical activity instructors of older adults, and designing senior fitness programs.
Dr. Jones has taught senior fitness classes and conducted training workshops for instructors for more than 20 years. Her national and international reputation for research, program design, and curriculum development in this field has led to her recent appointment as co-editor in chief of the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. Her work has been covered in numerous publications. She is coauthor of the Senior Fitness Test Manual (2001, Human Kinetics) with its companion training video and software. The Senior Fitness Test is the only functional fitness test with established reliability, validity, and national norms based on the testing of 7,000 men and women between the ages of 60 and 94.
Debra J. Rose, PhD, is a professor in the division of kinesiology and health science and codirector of the Center for Successful Aging at California State University at Fullerton. She is also a professor in the physical therapy department at Chapman University in Orange, California. Her primary research focus is on the enhancement of mobility and the prevention of falls in later years.
Dr. Rose is nationally and internationally recognized for her work in fall risk reduction assessment and programming. Her research in fall risk reduction in the elderly has been published in numerous peer-reviewed publications, including the Journal of the American Geriatric Society, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Neurology Report, and the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. The innovative fall risk reduction program she developed was recognized by the National Council on Aging as one of seven meritorious programs nationwide that promotes a healthy, active lifestyle. Dr. Rose's entire program was published in her book, FallProof! A Comprehensive Balance and Mobility Training Program (2003, Human Kinetics). She is a fellow of the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education, former executive board member of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, and co-editor in chief of the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity.
“Physical Activity Instruction of Older Adults, is the first major textbook to detail the fundamental knowledge and skills that physical activity instructors of older adults need.”
The Journal on Active Aging
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