Your Medical Readiness
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printer-friendly versionSeeking medical clearance from your physician prior to engaging in any form of exercise is of the utmost importance. Although exercise can provide you with numerous health benefits, it may also pose various health risks for certain individuals. In most cases your physician will provide guidance in terms of what forms of exercise and when you may begin participating in exercise after and/or prior to weight loss surgery.
Some of you may have had weight loss surgery a year or more ago; just because you were cleared to participate in any form of exercise then, does not mean your status remains the same now. Cardiovascular health changes, old injuries can worsen and many additional aspects of your health can decline, possibly limiting what type, duration, frequency and intensity of exercise your participation in, would be considered safe.
On the other hand, maybe you were not cleared for exercise after weight loss surgery, but now, a year and a half later, your health has improved as a result of drastic weight loss and those limitations existing over a year ago, are no longer present. Your participation in an exercise program may not be contraindicated anymore.
This information is not intended to discourage you from leading an active lifestyle. Living actively should enhance your health, not compromise it. Ensuring you receive the proper screening and clearance will increase your chances of success and reduce your chances of injury. Safety is key!
The bottom line, check with your physician first!
Click here to further prepare yourself to initiate an exercise program in our Tools and Calculators section.
Pre-op or post-op beginner? We have you covered!
Below you will find links to pre-exercise participation or pre-participation health screenings. These questionnaires are commonly used (or should be) by health and fitness professionals in a number of settings. For instance, upon joining a health club or prior to using the services of a personal trainer, some form of health screening should be done.
The purpose of these questionnaires is to identify individuals who may have medical contraindications to exercise, those who may have an increased risk and need medical evaluation, those who should only participate in medically supervised exercise programs, those who may require attention for particular or special needs, and those who should be clear to participate in a self guided exercise program.
AHA/ACSM Health/Fitness Facility Pre participation Screening Questionnaire
The American Heart Association/American College of Sports Medicine Health/Fitness Facility Preparticipation Screening Questionnaire is very detailed in its questioning and identifies a broad range of health issues that may be exacerbated by exercise. This questionnaire consists of 32 statements requiring "yes" or "no" responses.
Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)
The Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire, or PAR-Q, a questionnaire created by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, consists of 7 "yes" or "no" questions. The PAR-Q is reliable, quick, and extensively used, but the AHA/ACSM questionnaire presented above is more thorough and should be used when possible.
