ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the elements of a prescription designed to stimulate robust adaptation within the major physiologic domains that can be modified by exercise: strength, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, and balance, as recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine and endorsed by most major medical consensus groups. Muscle strengthening exercise is accomplished by contracting muscles against an external form of resistance so as to move the object or resistance through space. The most important element of the resistance training prescription is the intensity of the load used. There are many more kinds of cardiovascular exercise available than is the case for strengthening exercise. Most people will be familiar with the basic principles of common forms of aerobic exercise, so this modality of exercise is frequently carried out in unsupervised settings. Musculoskeletal problems are more common than any other risk of aerobic exercise, particularly in the novice or very frail woman.
