The medical history (individual, sports and family) must be obtained with the help of a pre-planned questionnaire recording data such as previous health problems, diseases, accidents, surgeries, any followed medication, etc.
On the same time, the existence of predisposition of cardiovascular disease factors, such as:
- Diabetes Mellitus.
- Arterial Hypertension.
- Harmful habits, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, etc.
Obtaining a family history should include questions about the existence of cardiovascular diseases or a sudden death event in the immediate family environment of the examinee, in order to seek the risk of sudden death and the existence of cardiovascular diseases.
In general, family history is considered aggravating when a close relative of the examinee has experienced premature death or sudden death at the age of 55 (differentiated on a case-by-case basis) or if a family member of the candidate/examined person suffers from cardiomyopathy, coronary heart disease or other cardiovascular disease.
The exercise history should record information about the candidate's experience around physical activity, any sports activities he/she does, the training age and the characteristics of the training that follows.
In addition to the questionnaire/questionnaires, it is advisable to check the somatometric measurements / characteristics (height, body weight, waist circumference, etc.), blood pressure and heart rate.
- The control of somatometric characteristics/measurements helps to assess the physical condition of the prospective trainee and to confirm the existence of aggravating factors, such as obesity.
- Measuring systolic and diastolic blood pressure controls the risk of developing arterial hypertension, which is an important risk factor for the occurrence of a cardiovascular condition.
- Pulse palpation allows heart rate and heart rhythm to be assessed.
GENERAL GUIDELINES: Before any systematic exercise is initiated, it is absolutely essential that there is medical expertise for each practitioner and, in addition, the fitness of the practitioner to be assessed through a personal interview using / filling in a specific questionnaire, where indicated, will be determined and will assess his general state of health. The personal trainer must get a complete history of the trainee and make a first assessment of how he or she can train and how. In the event of any doubt or lack of medical opinion, the prospective trainee should be referred for medical examinations.
Fitness for exercise should be assessed for both first-time exercisers and those who are already exercising, at least once a year.
