ABSTRACT
Prior to any individual participating in any exercise program, testing or prescription, it is imperative that they are health screened. Irrespective of the legal implications for the exercise professional and/or the exercise facility, the safety of the client or subject must be paramount. The screening process thus acts as a tool to identify the current health status of the participant, and consequently the potential risks inherent in any further exercise testing or prescription. The screening process should include the establishment of a full medical history, inclusive of both past and present information. High-risk individuals should be examined by a medic, and should undergo exercise testing with medical supervision before participation in any exercise program. Knowledge of parameters of health-related physical fitness allows the practitioner to gain an understanding of the client's baseline fitness status, to compare this to published norms and to construct achievable goals for the exercise prescription.
