COVID really impacted the fitness industry and caused many of us to come up with creative ways to keep earning a living doing what we love by going online with virtual classes, training and coaching.
This certainly created an awakening on the importance of health and wellness.
We are still facing a chronic disease, obesity, opioid and mental health crisis where Medical Fitness Specialists can step in and serve an endless amount of people who need help in prevention, rehabilitation and managing chronic disease, helping those out of pain — physically and mentally.
A Medical Fitness Specialist (MFS) is uniquely qualified to work with individuals within the medical-fitness continuum.
The MFS has received ongoing education and training to work with individuals who have been diagnosed with a medical condition including but not limited to: obesity, diabetes, hypertension, neuromuscular disorders, heart disease, lung disease, orthopedic disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis or mental disorders. These individuals may have been recommended by a licensed healthcare professional (i.e. medical doctor, chiropractic physician or physiotherapist) to participate in a structured physical exercise and/or begin behavioral change, like dietary modification and mental health processes. This includes individuals who have a specific health or fitness goal and have taken it upon their own merit to begin an exercise or behavior change program.
The goal of working with an MFS is to responsibly direct the individual in a specific process that leads to improvements in overall health and wellness based on the medical history and goals of that individual. They understand how to make modifications, monitor and create progressive programs.
An MFS has been trained to take a thorough history, keep accurate records and work within the scope of their respective training. Additionally, an MFS has been trained to recognize that when an individual — either one who expresses an interest in, or is currently participating in, physical exercise and/or a behavioral change (e.g. dietary and mental health) program — has the possibility of an undiagnosed condition or exacerbation of a current medical issue, they make the necessary referral to a licensed healthcare provider.
The MFS is also able to communicate with and educate the individual about the medical-fitness continuum as it relates to their unique medical circumstances and needs. To ensure coordination of care, the MFS is trained to competently communicate (both written, verbal and/or electronic) with allied health professionals.
Check out MedFit Classroom for specialized education for fitness professionals, including the 20-hour Medical Fitness Specialist course!
Lisa Dougherty is the founder of the MedFit Network and MedFit Education Foundation. She is a graduate of the University of CA, Irvine Fitness Instructor Program, and is a Certified Personal Trainer and Health Coach through the American Council on Exercise. She founded Whole Body Fitness in 1999, and has specialty certifications to work with those with medical conditions, post-surgical/rehab as well as pre & postnatal fitness. Her curse work includes Heart Disease, Breast Cancer Recovery, MS, Parkinson’s, Diabetes, Alzheimer’s/Dementia, Arthritis, Respiratory Disease, Fibromyalgia, Knee and hip replacement, and Pre and Postpartum fitness.
