Recommending exercise to healthy older adults - The preparticipation evaluation and exercise prescription

The office-based preparticipation evaluation for older adults addresses car diovascular status, muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and agility. The Kasch pulse-recovery test and the sit-and-reach test are practical methods for evaluating aerobic capacity and flexibility, respectively. Other measu res, such as assessment of body composition or bone density, help establish goals and provide baselines for measuring exercise progress. The prescript ion for older people is aimed at maintaining current function and moving pa tients to the next activity level. The prescription specifies type, frequen cy, duration, and intensity of exercise, Case reports describe how key piec es of information from the preparticipation exam can lead to specific exerc ise recommendations.