FSHP Academy
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 frailty

Module 2: Assessment & Screening

Health screening, risk stratification and medicationsFunctional fitness assessment: SFT, SPPB, TUG, gait speed, grip

Module 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 training

Module 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, dementia

Module 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 templates

Nutrition, hydration and recovery for older adults

Nutrition for older adults who exercise — protein needs, energy, vitamin D and calcium, hydration and recovery, within scope of practice.

Intermediate Evidence: Strong evidence 3 min read Reviewed 2026-10-31 Status: draft

Learning objectives

  • Explain higher protein needs in older adults
  • Identify hydration risks
  • Describe nutrients important for bone and muscle
  • Know when to refer to a dietitian

Before this lesson

Why this matters

Muscle maintenance needs both training and adequate nutrition, and older adults often under-eat protein.

Protein [bauer2013]

SituationDaily protein
Healthy older adults1.0–1.2 g/kg
Active / acute or chronic disease1.2–1.5 g/kg
Severe kidney diseaseMedical advice (may be lower)

Spread across meals (~25–30 g each). Indian options: dal, paneer, curd, eggs, chicken, fish, soy, chana.

Other nutrients

Vitamin D and calcium (bone), energy adequacy (prevent unintended weight loss), fibre.

Hydration

Encourage regular drinking, especially in heat and with diuretics.

Nutrition plus resistance training is the foundation of sarcopenia management [cruzjentoft2019].

Common mistakes and misconceptions

Case study

A 75-year-old eats ~45 g protein per day. With dietitian support she adds curd at breakfast, dal and paneer at lunch and an egg snack, reaching ~80 g/day; her strength gains accelerate.

Further learning: video lessons

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Practical demo needs verification — opens a YouTube search

Nutrition, hydration and recovery for older adults

geriatric exercise specialists and physiotherapists (search)

You will understand: nutrition, hydration and recovery for older adults

Why: Clinician-led content; verify the specific video.
Introductory needs verification — opens a YouTube search

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. PROT-AGE recommends healthy older adults consume about…

Answer B. Bauer et al. (2013).

2. A per-meal protein target often suggested is…

Answer B. Distribution.

3. Older adults are at dehydration risk because…

Answer A. Reduced thirst.

4. Unintentional weight loss should be…

Answer B. Frailty marker.

5. Protein and resistance training together…

Answer B. Synergy.

Short-answer & application questions

  1. Estimate protein needs for a 70 kg older client.
  2. Plan protein-rich meals in Indian cuisine.
  3. Write a hydration plan.

Key takeaways

  • Older adults need more protein: about 1.0–1.2 g/kg/day, and 1.2–1.5 g/kg/day with illness or exercise.
  • Distribute protein across meals (around 25–30 g per meal).
  • Thirst declines with age — encourage regular fluid intake.
  • Refer for unintentional weight loss, poor appetite or complex medical diets.

Connected topics

sports nutrition

Macronutrients and athletic performance

lifestyle nutrition

Macronutrients and their roles in health

References

  1. Bauer J, Biolo G, Cederholm T, et al. (2013). Evidence-based recommendations for optimal dietary protein intake in older people: a position paper from the PROT-AGE Study Group. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 14(8):542–559. Guideline check pending
  2. Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Bahat G, Bauer J, et al. (2019). Sarcopenia: revised European consensus on definition and diagnosis. Age and Ageing, 48(1):16–31. Guideline check pending

Educational content only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis or treatment.