The Alzheimer’s Disease Fitness Specialist Course blends current science with common sense to present cutting-edge ideas to optimise the impact that fitness can have in the lives of those you serve who are concerned about or diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia.
In the UK:
- More than half (52%) of people in the UK know someone diagnosed with dementia.
- 68% of people correctly disagree with the statement ‘Dementia is an inevitable part of getting older.’
- Dementia is the leading chronic cause of death since 2017
- 49% say that dementia is the health condition they fear most
- Approximately 40% of all dementia diagnoses are linked to modifiable lifestyle factors, yet only
- 33% of adults believe it is possible to reduce risk.
- At the same time, 75% of people believe it’s possible to influence brain health.
(source: https://dementiastatistics.org/attitudes/)
With numerous lifestyle factors mediating this disease rather than genetics, you can bring a message of hope to enhance quality of life. All physical activity is good for the brain, but the inclusion of specific elements such as coordination, reactivity, partner interaction, attention and memory challenges integrated with physical activity make it even more beneficial.
Reframing ‘dementia risk reduction’ as ‘enhancing brain health’ represents a significant opportunity to increase public engagement. With many of the most significant lifestyle factors for dementia directly related to the role of fitness professionals, prepare yourself for a future featuring you at the centre of efforts to enhance the quality of life for the UK’s ageing population.
There is much uncertainty about the future for people living with Alzheimer’s disease. But this much is certain: You can make today better for patients, caregivers, or those seeking to optimise the experience and enjoyment of physical activity.
Often overlooked is the emotional health of both patients and caregivers as well as the role that social isolation plays in decreasing cognitive stimulation and accelerating the progression or the onset of disease. This course will equip you to address the subjective enjoyment that comes from presenting physical activity in accessible, enjoyable, and interactive ways to connect people.
Explore the current understanding of the most likely causes of Alzheimer’s and hear stories from patients and caregivers to illustrate the experience of living with Alzheimer’s for students.
With a population skewing older, those equipped to deliver fitness in specific ways that address the brain health concerns of that population can transform the day-to-day lives of people while ensuring a bright professional future as well.
Suggested Pre-requisite:
- CIMSPA: L2 Gym / Group Ex
Aims and objectives of course:
- Students will gain understanding of brain health and dementia at a level appropriate for a fitness professional.
- Develop an understanding of how to coach clients in the appropriate lifestyle factors most relevant to brain health and brain disease. In particular, the essential nature of creating a sense of enjoyment around healthy behaviours is emphasised.
- Gain comfort with integrating cognitive challenge elements and social connection elements seamlessly into workout plans, including cardiovascular and strength training in both one-on-one and group formats.
- Develop the confidence to implement the techniques equally well for those individuals directly and openly seeking brain health improvements as well as those not actively seeking it but who may benefit from an optimised brain fitness approach.
Author Bio
Jonathan Ross is a multi-Personal Trainer of the Year Award-Winner (ACE, IDEA, PFP Magazine), creator of Funtensity™, brain fitness visionary, blogger for the American Council on Exercise, and author of the book, Abs Revealed. His Alzheimer’s Fitness Specialist Course is changing the future of brain health through fitness and he is the Director of Education for the MedFit Education Foundation. A former astronomer, Jonathan used to study stellar bodies – now he builds them – and he just may be the first Astro-Fitness-ist!
