Not without a doctor's note
Comments (4)
Tuesday, January 16, 2007 | 06:51 PM ET
By Peter Hadzipetros
Been sedentary for longer than you care to admit, but thinking of getting off the couch and getting active? You'll probably want to see your doctor first, just to make sure you won't keel over tying up your cross-trainers.
At least that's what the experts say. Most of us don't listen, though. I didn't — even though I was approaching a certain age when the medical world wants to probe every pore and cavity of your body.
Luckily, my body adapted well to pretty intense exercise and — so far — I haven't been one of those headlines you read after some marathons: "Death race: Old guy with bad heart keels over at finish line."
If you'd like some guidelines on who should see a doctor before taking up an exercise program, the Mayo Clinic has some to consider. The clinic says that if you are a woman over 50, a man over 40, have had a heart attack or a family history of heart disease before age 55, you should see your doctor before beginning an exercise program. If you're a smoker or obese, you should also see your doctor first.
The College of Family Physicians of Canada says it's good to get back into exercise after you've had a heart attack, but not without going over your plans with your doctor.
Eventually, I did get the full physical and came through pretty well. Blood pressure was exactly where the books say it's supposed to be. Resting heart rate a little under 50 beats per minute.
It was comforting.
But I didn't have to do it.
That's not the situation everywhere. My little sister was looking to get active again just after Christmas. Forget jogging or cycling — she's called smoggy, car-crammed Athens home for most of the past 15 years. The city is one of the most dangerous in Europe for pedestrians.
So it was off to the gym with her. Thing is, she wanted to go to one of the facilities run by the municipality of Athens — a public gym. Sure, they said. But not without a note from your doctor.
"Yes, I received my note on Friday from a cardiologist working in the national health system," Marietta wrote. "He did an ECG and provided me with a note, which I took yesterday to the gym, and had my first class. Today I feel slightly moved internally!"
Join a private gym in Athens and you don't need a note. But join a publicly supported facility, and you've got to get an OK from the medical profession. Seems they dont want you keeling over on their treadmills.
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Comments (4)
Sarah
Edmonton
Is 'a' short for 'a scientologist'? Personally I believe in modern medicine. Human life expectancy has gone up by how much?
I think it's a good idea for people to see a doctor before they try to loose weight, if for nothing else than to gain reasonable weight loss expectations, or even healthy diet plans.
Posted January 19, 2007 04:57 PM
a
canada
I think it is ridiculous, Doctors try to get people into their offices for no reason, and make people usually leave with some sort of prescription!! It is healthier to stay away from them as long as you can. Exercise, but be reasonable. It is smarter to see a trainer, than a doctor, or you may have more than you bargain for. Many medical people do not make people healthy or teach the body to stay healthy, they just push drugs. You start with one pill and suddenly you need a drug organizer. Live life to the fullest and hopefully you will be enjoying yourself when you go!!! Hopefully you are not stuck in some room almost bedridden hoping life will end!! May we live our lives in a manner similar to the Crocadile hunter and never expect the end!!
Posted January 18, 2007 04:58 PM
Mike
Actually, in Canada, any licensed fitness club, non-profit organization, certified trainer hosting or serving the public, is required to have a participant fill out a Physical Activity Readiness Questionaire form (PAR-Q form). If they should answer any question in the positive (e.g., chest pain while doing physical activity?) a full Physical Activity Readiness Medical Examination is required. The physician must decide whether this person might benifit from a CSEP-Professional Fitness and Lifestyle Consultant or a CSEP-Exercise Therapist. These more than qualified folks also serve most anyone as "personal trainers". Check your provinces CSEP web site.
Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (www.csep.ca)
Posted January 17, 2007 11:06 PM
Kevin
Montreal
health centres should put you through a fairly complete evaluation which includes CV fitness, strength, endurance and flexibility tests. The evaluation also should include a lot of 1 on 1 questions about your state of health and family health history.
Personal Fitness Trainer certification, such as is available at the local YMCA, devotes a substantial part of the courses to this aspect.
This doesn't replace medical training certainly, but it does substantially reduce the risk of harm and injury and allows for a tailored program.
A doctor's note is required in the case of medication, injury or other physiological handicap.
From a liability perspective, the PAR-Q self-evaluation questionnaire and testament, similar to a pre-operation form identifying allergies, limitations and health history, should be completed as part of the preamble.
Posted January 17, 2007 05:16 PM