Exercise screening a must
February 29, 2012
Exercise & Sports Science Executive Officer, Anita Hobson-Powell, believes recent media attention around John Singleton cancelling plans to walk the Kokoda Trail following a health check, highlights the importance of exercise screening for those considering a similar challenge.
Reports state that the 70-year-old, who was set to walk the trail with a group of friends including Tommy Raudonikis, was forced to cancel plans when a scan revealed a problem with is heart.
“We can’t emphasise the importance of pre-exercise screening enough, particularly when people are considering something as physically challenging as the Kokoda Trail which has taken a number of victims due to health-related issues in the past few years,” said Ms Hobson-Powell.
“We are well aware that adventures such as these are often embarked upon as a group of friends following a physical and emotional journey, but this often presents a risk as not everyone in the party is on a par with regard to health and fitness.”
Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) joined forces with Fitness Australia and Sports Medicine Australia (SMA) last year to develop the Adult Pre-Exercise Screening System (APSS) which is now recommended to their registrants, members, government and associated organisations.
The purpose of this system is to ensure that pre-exercise screening and ongoing management is consistently administered before providers such as fitness professionals, exercise physiologists, other allied health practitioners and general practitioners prescribe physical activity or exercise.
“Essentially anyone embarking on an exercise program should be screened to ensure there are no health risks in their planned activities and that they achieve the best possible outcomes,” said Ms Hobson-Powell.
“Deciding to embark on a challenge such as the Kokoda Trail is a great way to get active and enjoy the physical endurance these adventures require. We just want to encourage people to follow John Singleton’s example of checking up before checking in.”
For more information on where to get your health check, please visit www.essa.org.au or contact your local exercise physiologist.
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