exercise preparticipation health screening

Exercise Testing for Medical Clearance

ACSM no longer recommends the inclusion of exercise testing for medical clearance. That decision is left to the qualified health care provider.

ACSM Screening Algorithm Components

-Classifying individuals who do (Yes) or do not (No) currently participate in regular exercise - Identifying individuals with known CV, metabolic, or renal diseases or those with signs or symptoms suggestive of cardiac, peripheral vascular, or cerebrovascular disease, Types 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), and renal disease - Identifying desired exercise intensity

Preparticipation health screening before initiating PA or an exercise program is a two-stage process:

1. The need for medical clearance before initiating or progressing exercise programming is determined using the ACSM screening algorithm a) Self-guided screenings can be an acceptable substitute for this method. 2. 2. If indicated during screening, medical clearance should be sought from an appropriate health care provider. a) The manner of clearance should be determined by the clinical judgment and discretion of the health care provider.

A self guided screening method can easily be accomplished by using the:

PAR-Q

Why is this the case?

This recommendation better aligns with evidence that exercise testing is a poor predictor of acute cardiac events in asymptomatic individuals.

Informed consent

obtaining informed consent should be completed prior to a) the collection of any personal and confidential information, (b) any form of fitness testing, or (c) exercise participation