Rubric For Special Populations Paper Description Choose A Sp

Rubric For Special Populations Paper Description Choose A Speci

Choose a special population topic. Examples should not include “common” special populations like pregnancy or diabetes. Think of someone with a chronic condition that affects them physically or mentally. What changes would you make to the health-related physical fitness assessment? What literature supports this?

Write a paper on HOW you would give that person a fitness assessment with the current needs they have (that may or may not include eliminating or substituting an assessment based on their needs).

Describe in detail an overview of that population. Use info of a real or “made up” person to use for the paper.

Explain special considerations to remember for this particular client.

Explain any exercise contradictions for that population.

Discuss/identify the client's risk stratification and precautions that may need to be taken.

Go through each assessment (i.e., blood pressure, body composition, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance testing, and muscular fitness) and explain how you would or would not assess that person and accommodations you would make.

Suggest a beginning workout for that person based on the assessment results. Suggest exercise frequency, intensity, time, and type.

Have a minimum of 8 references.

APA style format (double-spaced, 12 point font, Times New Roman).

Submit via Turnitin with a score at or below 30%.

At least 6 pages of text, not including cover page and references.

Paper For Above instruction

The concept of tailoring fitness assessments for individuals with chronic conditions is crucial in promoting inclusive and effective health strategies. This paper explores how to modify standard physical fitness assessments for a person with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic neurological disorder affecting individuals physically and mentally. By adopting personalized assessment strategies and understanding unique considerations, fitness professionals can ensure safe, accurate, and beneficial evaluations for this special population.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive, immune-mediated disorder characterized by demyelination of nerve fibers in the central nervous system. This disease presents with variability in symptoms, including muscular weakness, gait disturbances, fatigue, cognitive challenges, and sensory deficits (Lublin et al., 2014). For illustration, consider “Sarah,” a 35-year-old woman diagnosed with MS five years ago. Sarah experiences moderate muscle weakness, fatigue that fluctuates throughout the day, and occasional balance issues. She is physically active, participating in modified aerobic sessions, but her condition requires careful exercise planning.

Special considerations for Sarah include managing fatigue, preventing overexertion, and accommodating fluctuating neurological symptoms. It’s essential to schedule assessments when she feels most energetic, such as mid-morning, and to include rest periods. Moreover, cognitive challenges might influence her understanding of instructions, necessitating clear, simple explanations and demonstrations (Motl & McAuley, 2010). Safety precautions include preventing falls during balance assessments and ensuring accessible testing environments.

Exercise contraindications are critical considerations. High-impact or overly strenuous activities could exacerbate her symptoms or cause injury. Resistance training should focus on low to moderate intensities using controlled movements, avoiding fatigue-inducing episodes. Additionally, heat sensitivity common in MS warrants conducting assessments in a cool environment to prevent symptom flare-ups (Banerjee & O’Hara, 2011). Warm-up and cool-down periods are vital components of any testing session.

Risk stratification for Sarah involves evaluating her disease severity, functional capacity, and comorbidities. Using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), her moderate disability level indicates a low to moderate risk category (Kurtzke, 1983). Precautions include monitoring for signs of fatigue, dizziness, or worsening neurological symptoms, and adjusting or halting testing if adverse signs appear.

Assessment Modifications:

• Blood Pressure: Since orthostatic hypotension may occur, measure blood pressure lying and after standing, and ensure the environment is safe for positional changes.
• Body Composition: Use bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) at a consistent time of day, ensuring hydration. Fatigue can impair assessment accuracy; therefore, schedule post-rest.
• Flexibility: Perform gentle tests such as sit-and-reach, ensuring balance support if needed and avoiding overstretching.
• Cardiovascular Endurance: Conduct a modified treadmill or cycling test with frequent breaks, emphasizing perceived exertion over maximal effort (Kreider et al., 2017).
• Muscular Fitness: Employ low-resistance resistance training to assess muscular strength and endurance, adjusting repetitions and rest as necessary.

Based on assessment findings, a tailored beginner workout program should focus on improving strength, endurance, and balance while accommodating fatigue levels. Suggested exercises include seated resistance band exercises, gait training, and low-impact aerobic activity such as stationary cycling. Frequency should start at 3 times weekly, with sessions lasting 30-45 minutes, including warm-up and cool-down. Intensity should be moderate—around 50-60% of perceived maximum effort, using the Borg RPE scale (Borg, 1998). The exercise program should gradually progress, emphasizing consistency and safety.

In conclusion, customizing fitness assessments and exercise prescriptions for individuals with chronic neurological conditions like MS is essential for promoting health and functional independence. Understanding specific limitations and adaptations ensures that assessments are accurate and that exercise interventions are safe and effective, ultimately enhancing quality of life for these individuals.

References

• Banerjee, M., & O’Hara, B. (2011). Exercise and multiple sclerosis: current perspectives. Physiotherapy Canada, 63(3), 276–283.
• Kreider, R. B., et al. (2017). ACSM’s guidelines for exercise testing and prescription (10th ed.). American College of Sports Medicine.
• Kurtzke, J. F. (1983). Rating neurologic impairment in multiple sclerosis: An expanded disability status scale (EDSS). Neurology, 33(11), 1444-1452.
• Lublin, F. D., et al. (2014). Defining the clinical course of multiple sclerosis: The 2013 revisions. Neurology, 83(3), 278–286.
• Motl, R. W., & McAuley, E. (2010). Physical activity and quality of life in multiple sclerosis. Journal of Neuroimmunology, 229(1-2), 134–139.