ACE-MES flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

PAR-Q+

The Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone is a seven-item self-screen; any yes answer routes the client to condition-specific follow-up pages that determine whether medical clearance is advised.

Preparticipation screening variables

Only three: current exercise participation, known cardiovascular, metabolic, or renal disease, and current signs or symptoms. Risk-factor counting no longer determines whether clearance is required.

When medical clearance is required

Symptomatic clients, and sedentary clients with known cardiovascular, metabolic, or renal disease who plan to begin moderate or vigorous exercise, should obtain physician clearance before training starts.

Hypertensive crisis threshold

A resting blood pressure at or above 180/120 mmHg contraindicates exercise on that day and requires immediate medical referral rather than a modified session.

Tanaka maximal heart rate formula

An age-predicted maximum of 208 minus 0.7 times age. It is more accurate than 220 minus age for adults over 40 and is used inside heart rate reserve calculations.

One MET defined

One metabolic equivalent equals 3.5 milliliters of oxygen per kilogram per minute, approximating resting energy expenditure; multiples express exercise intensity and functional capacity.

Absolute exercise contraindications

Unstable angina, uncontrolled arrhythmia, severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, acute myocardial infarction within two days, and suspected acute pulmonary embolism or aortic dissection prohibit exercise until medically resolved.

FITT-VP framework

Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type, Volume, and Progression. Each variable is planned and documented deliberately rather than assumed from a template program.

Heart rate reserve method

Target heart rate equals maximal minus resting heart rate, multiplied by the intensity percentage, plus resting heart rate. Also called Karvonen; it individualizes intensity better than percentage of maximum alone.

Ten percent progression rule

Weekly training volume, whether measured in minutes or MET-minutes, usually increases by no more than five to ten percent; larger jumps raise injury and symptom risk.

Moderate intensity RPE range

On the 6-20 Borg scale, ratings of 11 to 13 correspond to moderate intensity, roughly 40 to 59 percent of heart rate reserve, where conversation remains comfortable.

Initial resistance training prescription

Two to three days per week, one to three sets of eight to twelve repetitions at 40 to 60 percent of one-repetition maximum, with 48 hours between sessions for the same muscles.

Weekly volume for health benefit

A target of 500 to 1000 MET-minutes per week, equivalent to about 150 to 300 minutes of moderate aerobic activity, is the accepted threshold for meaningful risk reduction.

Static stretching parameters

Hold each stretch 10 to 30 seconds to the point of tightness, perform two to four repetitions, on at least two to three days per week; ballistic stretching is avoided in clinical clients.

Pursed-lip breathing purpose

Used in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to slow expiration, prevent airway collapse, and reduce dyspnea; clients practice it during activity and use it to recover when breathlessness escalates.

Oxygen desaturation stop threshold

During exercise, discontinue and reassess if oxygen saturation falls below 88 percent, or below the client's individualized prescribed target, despite supplemental oxygen and breathing technique.

Beta blocker heart rate effect

Beta blockade blunts the heart rate response to exercise, so age-predicted maximums and heart rate targets are unreliable; perceived exertion and the talk test become the primary intensity guides.

Angina ten-beat rule

Exercise heart rate is kept at least ten beats per minute below the rate at which ischemic symptoms first appeared; chest discomfort at any workload ends the session immediately.

Knee osteoarthritis training focus

Emphasize quadriceps strengthening, low-impact aerobic activity, and range-of-motion work; reduce deep loaded flexion and impact loading during symptomatic flares rather than stopping activity entirely.

Osteoporosis loading precautions

Include weight-bearing and progressive resistance training, but avoid loaded spinal flexion, combined flexion with rotation, and breath holding that raises compressive forces on the spine.

Exercise hypoglycemia prevention

If pre-exercise glucose is below 100 mg/dL, consume 15 to 20 grams of carbohydrate; carry fast-acting glucose and check levels before, during, and after sessions.

Stages of change model

Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. Cognitive and experiential strategies dominate early stages, while behavioral strategies dominate once action begins.

OARS motivational interviewing skills

Open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries. These four microskills build rapport and elicit change talk rather than triggering resistance through prescriptive advice.

Self-efficacy four sources

Mastery experiences, vicarious experience, verbal persuasion, and physiological or affective states. Mastery experiences, built through graded small successes, exert the strongest and most durable influence.

SMART goal criteria

Goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. This structure permits objective tracking and structured revision when barriers or setbacks appear.

Teach-back method

The client restates the plan or demonstrates the skill in their own words; this verifies comprehension and reveals gaps better than simply asking whether they understood.

Lapse versus relapse

A lapse is a single slip in behavior; a relapse is a full return to the previous pattern. Framing a lapse as temporary protects self-efficacy and prevents escalation.

SOAP note components

Subjective reports, Objective measurements, Assessment within scope, and Plan. Each note records objective data such as loads, heart rates, and reported symptoms from the session.

Scope of practice limit

The medical exercise specialist designs and supervises exercise but does not diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, or interpret diagnostic tests such as stress electrocardiograms or imaging.

Emergency action plan elements

A site-specific plan covering EMS activation, AED location and retrieval route, CPR-trained responder roles, a designated EMS entry point, and scheduled rehearsal of the response sequence.

Written release of information

Sharing client health data with another provider requires a signed, dated authorization specifying the information, the recipient, the purpose, and an expiration date or event.

Incident report documentation

Record factual observations, time, witnesses, and actions taken without opinion, blame, or admission of fault; file promptly and forward to the supervising organization or risk manager.