Consult with your physician before beginning any type of strength training or conditioning program. Previously sedentary individuals require medical clearance prior to initiating any exercise program. Consult a physical therapist for any ankle, knee, hip, lower back pain, or shoulder pain.

• Major risk factors requiring medical supervision
  • Diabetes
  • High cholesterol
  • History of heart disease in your family
  • Obesity
  • Over 35 years old
  • Sedentary
  • Smoked
  • Stress

• Minimum assessment required to begin fitness program:
  • Cardiovascular function
  • Respiratory function
  • Blood pressure
  • Blood chemistry
  • Muscle and joint

American college of sports medicine (acsm) risk stratification

These guidelines are in place to establish risk for individuals participating in exercise programs. It is presumed that all individuals are pre-screened and risk-stratified for any possible contraindications for exercise.

• Risk factors
  • Family history (heart attack, father sudden death before 55 and mother before 65 years of age)
  • Cigarette smoking (current smoker or quit within 6 months)
  • Hypertension (systolic greater than 140 mmhg and diastolic greaterthan 90 mmhg)
  • High cholesterol (total cholesterol greater than 200 / ldl greater than 130 / hdl less than 35)
  • Impaired fasting glucose ( fasting blood glucose greater than 100 mg/dl
  • Obesity (waist circumference greater than 100 cm)
  • Sedentary lifestyle.

• Low risk younger individuals
  • Men under 45 years of age
  • Women under 55 years of age
  • Asymptomatic and have no more than one risk factor

• Moderate risk older individuals
  • Men over 45 years of age
  • Women over 55 years of age
  • Have 2 or more risk factors

• High risk
  • Individuals with known diabetes, cardiovascular, pulmonary, or thyroid disease
  • Pain in the chest, neck, or arms due to ischemia
  • Shortness of breath at rest or with mild exertion
  • Dizziness
  • Known heart murmur