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Bridging the Gap Between Fitness and Healthcare: Why the Future Needs Medical Fitness Professionals

MFN/7 August 2025/ All MFN blog/

With over half of U.S. adults living with at least one chronic disease or medical condition, there’s a growing demand for professionals who can bridge the gap between healthcare and fitness. The solution? A new wave of educated, specialized fitness professionals trained to work with clinical populations.

A Broken System, By the Numbers

Despite massive healthcare spending, the U.S. continues to struggle with preventable health outcomes:

The U.S. spends more on healthcare than any other country, yet ranks 49th in life expectancy.¹
Among peer nations, the U.S. has the lowest life expectancy for both men and women.²
The U.S. leads in obesity rates, nearly twice the average, and the highest rate of people with multiple chronic conditions.³
We also see the highest rates of hospitalizations and deaths from treatable or avoidable conditions.³
Overall, the U.S. ranks just 35th out of 169 countries in global citizen health.⁴

These sobering statistics paint a clear picture: Our system focuses heavily on treatment, not prevention.

Exercise is Medicine!

Physical activity is one of the most powerful tools we have to prevent and manage chronic disease. The evidence is overwhelming. An increase in physical activity directly correlates with improved health outcomes, across nearly every domain of health.

A Study by the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine reveals physical activity-related health benefits for adults, both healthy and with medical conditions/chronic diseases.

ADULTS
All-cause mortality	Lower risk
Cardiometabolic conditions	Lower cardiovascular incidence and mortality (including heart disease and stroke) Lower incidence of hypertension Lower incidence of type 2 diabetes
Cancer	Lower incidence of bladder, breast, color, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, stomach, and lung cancers
Brain Health	Reduced risk of dementia Improved cognitive function Improved cognitive function following bouts of aerobic activity Improved quality of life Improved sleep Reduced feelings of anxiety and depression in healthy people and in people with existing clinical syndromes Reduced incidence of depression
Weight Status	Reduced risk of excessive weight gain Weight loss and the prevention of weight regain following initial weight loss when a sufficient dose of moderate-to- vigorous physical activity is attained An additive effect on weight loss when combined with moderate dietary restriction
OLDER ADULTS
Falls	Reduced incidence of falls incidence of fall-related injuries
Physical Function	Improved physical function in older adults with or without frailty
INDIVIDUALS WITH PREEXISTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS
Breast Cancer	Reduced risk of all-cause and breast cancer mortality
Colorectal cancer	Reduced risk of all-cause and colorectal cancer mortality
Prostate Cancer	Reduced risk of prostate cancer mortality
Osteoarthritis	Decreased pain Improved function and quality of life
Hypertension	Reduced risk of progression of cardiovascular disease risk of increased blood pressure over time
Type 2 Diabetes	Reduced risk of cardiovascular mortality Reduced progression of disease indicators: hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure, blood lipids, and body mass index
Multiple Sclerosis	Improved walking Improved physical fitness
Dementia	Improved cognition

Why Education Matters: The Role of Medical Fitness Professionals

To work effectively with clients dealing with chronic diseases, aging-related conditions, or post-rehab needs, you must go beyond a general personal training certification.

Specialized education is critical. You need:

A deep understanding of medical conditions you are working with.
The ability to design safe, customized programs that account for limitations, medications, and symptoms.
Communication skills to collaborate with healthcare professionals.
A passion for service, empathy, and whole-person wellness.

Medical fitness professionals are a vital extension of the healthcare team, and their impact can be life-changing.

Take the Next Steps

Whether you’re just starting or already working in the space, the MedFit Global Virtual Conference is the ultimate opportunity to expand your expertise in medical fitness.

📅 October 22–26, 2025, 100% virtual event
✔ Attend from anywhere — 100% virtual event! If you can’t watch live, your registration includes 6 month access to recordings after the live event.
✔ Gain evidence-based strategies from 85+ expert-led sessions across diverse health topics.
✔ Learn how to build a thriving practice in the medical fitness space.
✔ Earn CEUs while expanding your ability to serve clients with chronic conditions.

Use coupon MEDFIT to save 25% off registration for this event!

Register at https://www.fbasucceed.com/medfit

References

1. US News and World Report, World Bank Data, 2022

2. Peterson KFF, Health Systems Tracker

3. U.S. Health Care from a Global Perspective, Commonwealth Fund

4. 2019 Bloomberg Healthiest Country Index

Heart Rate Variability, Why It Matters and How Can You Improve it

MFN/12 May 2025/ All MFN blog/

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a measurement of the variation in time between successive heartbeats.

HRV is controlled by the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system, which work in opposition to regulate our body’s functions. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for our “fight or flight” response, while the parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for our “rest and digest” response.

A higher HRV indicates that the parasympathetic nervous system is dominant, which means that the body is in a state of relaxation and recovery. A lower HRV indicates that the sympathetic nervous system is dominant, which means that the body is in a state of stress and exertion.

HRV is a valuable tool in assessing overall health and identifying potential health risks. It is affected by various factors, including age, fitness level, stress levels, and sleep quality. As we age, our HRV tends to decrease, and this decrease is associated with an increased risk of developing chronic health conditions.

Research has shown that a low HRV is associated with an increased risk of mortality from various health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Monitoring HRV regularly can help identify potential health risks and enable us to take steps to address them.

What is a Good HRV?

A “good” HRV varies depending on a person’s age, fitness level, and overall health. Generally, a good HRV falls between 60 and 100 ms. This range varies depending on age:

AGE GROUP	AVERAGE HRV
18-25	62-85 ms
26-35	55-75 ms
36-45	50-70 ms
46-55	45-65 ms
55-65	42-62 ms
66+	40-60 ms

Factors Affecting HRV

HRV tends to decrease with age, and this decrease is attributed to a decrease in parasympathetic nervous system activity. This decrease can be more pronounced in individuals with chronic health conditions or who lead sedentary lifestyles.

Chronic health conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, can negatively impact HRV. Furthermore, lifestyle habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and a poor diet can also have a negative impact on HRV.

Stress, whether physical or emotional, can decrease HRV. Poor sleep quality or sleep deprivation can lead to a decrease in HRV, as the body is unable to fully recover and recharge.

Certain medications, including beta-blockers used to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions, can significantly decrease HRV. (If you are taking medication and are concerned about its impact on HRV, we recommend speaking with your healthcare provider.)

How to Improve Your HRV

Regular exercise has been shown to increase HRV, especially high-intensity interval training. Engaging in regular physical activity improves heart health and can positively impact HRV. It is important to note that overtraining can have the opposite effect on HRV, so it is important to find the right balance between exercise and rest.

Regular relaxation and stress management techniques can help counteract the effects of stress and improve HRV. Relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery can help reduce stress and increase HRV.

Getting enough quality sleep is essential for overall health and can increase HRV. Consistently getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night can improve HRV.

Eating a balanced diet rich in whole foods can improve overall health, which can in turn increase HRV. Foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and nuts, have been shown to increase HRV. Conversely, a diet high in processed foods and sugar can have a negative impact on HRV.

Limited alcohol and caffeine consumption. Caffeine can increase heart rate and activate the sympathetic nervous system, while alcohol can have a depressant effect on the parasympathetic nervous system. Limiting alcohol and caffeine intake can positively impact HRV.

What does the word “geriatric” mean to you?

MFN/11 June 2024/ All MFN blog/

geriatrics\ ˌjer-ē-ˈa-triks , ˌjir-\ : a branch of medicine that deals with the problems and diseases of old age and the medical care and treatment of aging people.

What does the word geriatric mean to you? Oftentimes, it comes with a negative connotation. It’s time to change the perception of this word in the fitness industry.

In the medical fitness space, we seek to align with doctors and health professionals.

Geriatric medicine physicians (Geriatricians) work to promote health by preventing and treating diseases and disabilities. To a great degree, this includes improving functional abilities and independence in their activities of daily living. With the rapid growth of the older population in the US, the demand for geriatric medicine is higher than ever.

Physicians specializing in geriatric medicine work closely with interdisciplinary teams, including physical therapists and fitness professionals, to implement care plans that will improve quality of life. This is where a properly educated fitness professional can enter, collaborate with doctors and make a huge impact in the lives of this population.

Senior Fitness vs. Geriatric Fitness

Senior fitness is popular in the fitness industry and many organizations offer education for working with seniors — but it’s primarily focused on seniors who are “generally healthy”. Senior fitness is centered on preventative measures to maintain existing health as a person ages.

But not all seniors fall into this category. In fact, most do not. Geriatric fitness is for those who are not healthy, who need guidance with fitness and lifestyle changes to improve degraded function so they can perform activities of daily living and be independent.

Why Specialize?

Specializing in geriatric fitness allows you to reach a huge market (there are over 70 million baby boomers with 10,000 people reaching age 65 daily!), but you’ll also find it to be a fulfilling part of your career. You’ll find creating programming for this group intellectually stimulating and challenging. You’ll also find it emotionally rewarding — helping geriatric clients make small improvements in their health will have an enormous impact on their quality of life, independence and well-being.

You’ll also offer peace of mind to caregivers — often adult children — as they are frequently the ones seeking an educated fitness professional to help their aging parent.

It’s time to see the word geriatric in a new, positive light. A personal trainer specializing in geriatric fitness is helping a senior maintain independence, prevent life-threatening falls and manage chronic health conditions to live their highest quality of life through their golden years.

Become a Geriatric Fitness and Lifestyle Specialist

Align yourself with the medical community and become a Geriatric Fitness and Lifestyle Specialist! Check out MedFit Classroom’s first of its kind online course for fitness professionals.

References

September 18-22 is Falls Prevention Awareness Week!

MFN/13 September 2023/ All MFN blog/

One in four Americans over age 65 falls every year. Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries for seniors. Through practical lifestyle adjustments, evidence-based programs, and community partnerships, the number of falls among the aging population can be reduced!

September 18-22 is the National Council on Aging’s Falls Prevention Awareness Week. Visit the NCOA website for more Falls Prevention Toolkit, filled with resources for both the public and fitness professionals!