Fitness for Women

Ann F. Maliszewski, PhD

ISBN: 0-7360-4682-8

This interactive course is designed to help you improve your understanding of health and fitness issues related to female clients. The course is supplemented by the text The Bodywise Woman by Judy Mahle Lutter and Lynn Jaffee. The text provides information about women's health and fitness issues that will help you when working with the six virtual clients in this course.

In the course you will assume the role of a newly hired fitness trainer at a company called Fitness, Inc., where you'll be starting an orientation to your job as a fitness trainer. Exercise is beneficial for many aspects of women's health. Knowing which type of exercise is most beneficial for specific health conditions is crucial to designing exercise programs. The club's management is concerned that personal trainers are using a one-size-fits-all approach in exercise programming. During your orientation period, you'll work with Kelly, the head trainer, and learn how to address exercise programming issues specific to female clients. Each of the female clients presents very different concerns. Kelly will help you learn to apply the principles you're studying to the needs and goals of your clients. She'll also help you evaluate your new knowledge and skills as you prepare for a final exam covering the key concepts and principles examined in the course.

By the end of the course, you should understand the relationship between physical activity and health issues specific to women. You should understand how exercise programs should be adjusted during pregnancy. You should be able to properly prescribe exercise for women who are pregnant, depressed, osteoporotic, overweight or obese, competitive athletes, or menopausal. Meeting Clients Kelly introduces you to the six clients ranging in age from 20 to 60+. These clients will help you learn about the different stages of women's lives. Some of your clients will present you with health-related issues that affect a segment of the female population. By the end of the first session with your clients, you should realize that each client has unique objectives and needs. You'll be able to categorize each client's current activity level, and you'll understand any special considerations that apply to her. Kelly will also help you understand the health risks associated with physical inactivity.

Young Women Working with Hannah gives you a chance to discuss isess of body image. You'll also learn about the warning signs for problem behaviors like eating disorders and compulsive exercising. Hannah also helps you understand how the menstrual cycle is affected by physical activity. This session concludes with a short quiz designed to help you review how to design exercise programs for young women clients. Fitness & Pregnancy You'll work with Latrece and learn about designing exercise programs for your clients who are pregnant. Latrece is physically active and consumes a nutritious diet. She wants to know who to adjust her active lifestyle now that she's pregnant. She wants to protect her fetus and maintain her fitness level, if it can be done safely. To make decisions about physical activity during pregnancy, you'll need to understand the body's responses to exercise, to pregnancy, and to exercising while pregnant. Kelly has prepared a few review questions to help you assess your understanding of the key concepts and principles.

Motherhood During this session you'll work with Erin, the mother of three. She'll give you an opportunity to discuss some of the reasons women don't exercise and to identify ways that they can find time to be physically active. Kelly will help you incorporate motivational activities into the overall program design. Erin has PMS. You'll discuss how physical activity can help her deal with the symptoms.

Kelly helps you review your understanding of this aspect of women's lives with a short quiz. Middle Age In this session you'll work with Liz. You'll learn about the physical changes that are expected with perimenopause and menopause. You'll help Liz understand that physical activity can be especially beneficial during this phase of a woman's life. You'll learn which components of activity programs are appropriate for menopausal women. Liz is of Mexican descent; working with her should help you realize that you need to take a woman's cultural background and lifestyle into consideration when designing an exercise program for her. The session concludes with a short quiz.

Dealing With Depression

Sarla has been struggling with depression for years. She's been diagnosed with mild to moderate clinical depression, and her psychiatrist has recommended that she participate in an exercise program to help her condition. Working with Sarla will give you an opportunity to learn about the prevalence of depression among women and how exercise is related to mental health. You'll also learn how to improve your client's program adherence through individualized motivational programs. Kelly's quiz should help you review the key concepts presented throughout this session.

Aging & Bone Health

Judith is an older woman who is physically active. She's just been diagnosed with osteoporosis and has some concerns about her bone health. You'll review the stages of bone growth and bone loss and see how you might be able to help women, like Judith, through a sound exercise program. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women. Kelly will present some information about heart health. There's a quiz at the end of the session. Course Test Finally, you'll take the online course test, which covers material from the interactive study guide and from the reading assignments.

System Requirements

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