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 templatesBehavioural coaching, communication and adherence
Coaching older adults — communication adaptations, motivation, barriers, social support and strategies that sustain long-term adherence.
Learning objectives
- Adapt communication for hearing, vision and cognition
- Identify barriers and facilitators to exercise
- Apply behaviour-change techniques
- Build social and community support
Before this lesson
Why this matters
Benefits only come with consistent participation.
Communication
- Face the person; good lighting; reduce background noise
- Moderate pace; short instructions; demonstrate
- Written or picture programmes
- Check understanding
Barriers and solutions
| Barrier | Strategy |
|---|---|
| Fear of falling | Supervised balance work, floor-rise practice |
| Pain | Modify exercise, pain education |
| Transport | Home or online sessions |
| Low confidence | Mastery experiences, small steps [bandura1977] |
Behaviour change
Goal setting, self-monitoring, feedback and social support [michie2011]. Multicomponent activity is recommended [chodzko2009].
Common mistakes and misconceptions
Case study
A walking group for retirees adds tea afterwards and a monthly progress chart. Attendance rises from 50% to 80% over three months.
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.
Behavioural coaching, communication and adherence
geriatric exercise specialists and physiotherapists (search)
You will understand: behavioural coaching, communication and adherence
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. A good communication strategy is…
2. A common barrier is…
3. Self-efficacy is…
4. Social support helps by…
5. Goals for older clients should be…
Short-answer & application questions
- Rewrite instructions for a client with hearing loss.
- Plan strategies for fear of falling.
- Design a social exercise group.
Key takeaways
- Communicate clearly: face the person, speak at a moderate pace, use demonstrations and written cues.
- Common barriers: fear of falling, pain, transport, low confidence.
- Use goal setting, self-monitoring and building self-efficacy.
- Group and social programmes improve enjoyment and adherence.
Connected topics
Neurological and cognitive: Parkinson’s, stroke, MS, dementia
lifestyle nutritionHabit formation and breaking restrict–binge cycles
References
- Bandura A (1977). Self-efficacy: toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84(2):191–215. Classic study check pending
- Michie S, van Stralen MM, West R (2011). The behaviour change wheel: a new method for characterising and designing behaviour change interventions. Implementation Science, 6:42. doi:10.1186/1748-5908-6-42 Narrative review check pending
- 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
Educational content only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis or treatment.