Geriatric Fitness — all lessons
Module 1: Foundations
Introduction to geriatric fitness and the specialist’s rolePhysiology of ageing: sarcopenia, dynapenia, osteopeniaAge-related conditions, multimorbidity and frailtyModule 2: Assessment & Screening
Health screening, risk stratification and medicationsFunctional fitness assessment: SFT, SPPB, TUG, gait speed, gripModule 3: Programming
Principles of programming: FITT-VP, progression, periodisationResistance and power training for sarcopeniaCardiovascular and aerobic conditioningBalance, mobility and fall preventionFlexibility, functional mobility and ADL trainingModule 4: Chronic Conditions
Cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions (HTN, CAD, HF, COPD)Metabolic conditions in older adultsMusculoskeletal: osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, joint replacementNeurological and cognitive: Parkinson’s, stroke, MS, dementiaModule 5: Coaching, Safety & Business
Nutrition, hydration and recovery for older adultsBehavioural coaching, communication and adherenceSafety, emergencies and scope of practiceBusiness, settings and career pathwaysCase studies and sample programme templatesFlexibility, functional mobility and ADL training
Training activities of daily living — chair rises, stairs, carrying, reaching, getting up from the floor — with flexibility and mobility for independence.
Learning objectives
- Identify activities of daily living relevant to clients
- Design task-specific functional training
- Include flexibility and mobility
- Measure functional progress
Before this lesson
Why this matters
Clients care about getting dressed, using stairs and carrying shopping. Training these directly builds confidence.
Task-specific training
| Task | Training |
|---|---|
| Rising from chair | Sit-to-stand progressions |
| Stairs | Step-ups, stair practice |
| Carrying | Farmer’s and suitcase carries |
| Reaching | Overhead presses, reaching drills |
| Floor transfers | Kneeling and rising practice |
| Dressing | Single-leg balance, hip mobility |
Flexibility
2+ days/week, 30–60 s holds, major muscle groups [chodzko2009].
Multicomponent context
Combine with strength, balance and aerobic work [izquierdo2021].
Common mistakes and misconceptions
Case study
A 79-year-old wants to carry groceries up two flights of stairs. Step-ups, carries and stair practice for 10 weeks make this possible without stopping.
Further learning: video lessons
Video links are only marked “verified” after a human has watched them. Unverified entries open a YouTube search for that channel and topic rather than a guessed link.
Flexibility, functional mobility and ADL training
geriatric exercise specialists and physiotherapists (search)
You will understand: flexibility, functional mobility and adl training
Why: Clinician-led content; verify the specific video.
Exercise for healthy ageing
geriatric medicine educators (search)
You will understand: why exercise matters in later life
Why: Clinical overview.
Knowledge check
Knowledge check · 0/5
1. An example ADL is…
2. Task-specific training means…
3. Flexibility for older adults is typically…
4. A functional carry exercise mimics…
5. Functional progress can be measured by…
Short-answer & application questions
- List ADLs important to a client.
- Design a functional circuit.
- Plan mobility for reaching overhead.
Key takeaways
- ADLs include dressing, bathing, getting up, walking, stairs, carrying and reaching.
- Train tasks directly as well as underlying strength and mobility.
- Flexibility: 2+ days/week, holds of 30–60 s.
- Measure progress with real-life tasks clients care about.
Connected topics
Balance, mobility and fall prevention
functional trainingFundamental movement patterns: push, pull, squat, hinge
References
- Chodzko-Zajko WJ, Proctor DN, Fiatarone Singh MA, et al. (2009). American College of Sports Medicine position stand: exercise and physical activity for older adults. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 41(7):1510–1530. Position stand check pending
- Izquierdo M, Merchant RA, Morley JE, et al. (2021). International exercise recommendations in older adults (ICFSR): expert consensus guidelines. Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, 25(7):824–853. Guideline check pending
Educational content only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis or treatment.