What's the difference?
Unlike the Certified Personal Trainer, who by definition is certified to work with “asymptomatic, apparently healthy individuals” an ACE Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist (CES) are certified to work with “individuals following treatment and/or rehabilitation for clinically documented chronic disease, musculoskeletal injury and/or disabilities.”
The Personal Trainer
American Council on Exercise (ACE) defines apparently healthy individuals as those having no special conditions, injuries or illness including metabolic or cardiovascular syndrome. One is classified as having metabolic and/or cardiovascular syndrome if they have 2 or more of the five indicators, which are; Diabetes, Obesity, Blood Lipid Disorders, Hypertension, Coronary Artery Disease, Peripheral Vascular Disease or other select Cardiovascular Disorders such as Valvular Heart Disease. So technically, a Certified Personal Trainer who is working with an individual who is Obese and also has Diabetes is working outside the scope of their training. This is happening every day in almost every gym in America!
Personal Trainer Area of Study
In order to pass the ACE nationally recognized certification ACE Certified Personal Trainers will need to have further knowledge of exercise science including physiology, human anatomy, biomechanics, applied kinesiology and some nutrition along with program design for injury prevention and basic life saving procedures. (CPR & First Aid)
The Clinical Exercise Specialist
The Clinical Exercise Specialist fill the need of individuals who are given clearance to exercise following treatment for a disease, injury or other health challenge, but lack the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out this directive on their own. The tide is turning toward lifestyle modification as a means for improving quality of life in the presence or absence of disease, many physicians lack the formal education and practical experience in such related areas as exercise science and physiology, motivation, goal setting, biomechanics, kinesiology and exercise technique. As such, patients are left on their own to fulfill this aspect of their discharge instructions – to begin or return to physical activity and exercise.
Since the CES works very closely with members of the healthcare community, including physicians (both allopathic and osteopathic), chiropractors, physical therapists, nutritionists, psychologists, nurse practitioners and physicians assistants, many times their services maybe billable to the clients insurance.
CES Areas of Study
In addition to more advanced study of those areas listed above the ACE CES must also have an in depth knowledge and understanding of birth abnormalities, diseases, addictions, injuries and other health challenges that can be present in ones lifetime. Some, but certainly not all are Cardiovascular Disease, Pulmonary Disease, Metabolic Disease, Immunological/Hematological Disorders, Neurological Disorders, Orthopedic Disorders, Psychological Disorders , Visual Impairments and Intellectual Disabilities.
Just as most Physicians, some CES choose to specialize in one or two area of expertise which allows them to pursue the aspect of health, wellness and fitness which they are most passionate about.
By: Barbara Nobles
Comments