CHC Physical Activity & Exercise Coaching — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the CHC's scope of practice regarding exercise prescription?
- Health coaches can prescribe detailed exercise programs for all conditions
- CHCs can provide general physical activity guidance and support active lifestyles, referring to exercise professionals for specific programming (Correct answer)
- Health coaches should avoid discussing exercise entirely
- CHCs can prescribe exercise for rehabilitation purposes
Correct answer: CHCs can provide general physical activity guidance and support active lifestyles, referring to exercise professionals for specific programming
CHCs can provide general physical activity guidance and support active lifestyles but should refer clients to certified personal trainers or exercise physiologists for specific exercise programming.
Question 2: What are the current physical activity guidelines for adults recommended by the US Department of Health?
- 30 minutes of intense exercise daily with no exceptions
- At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week, plus muscle-strengthening activities (Correct answer)
- Physical activity is only recommended for weight loss
- Walking 10,000 steps daily is the only recommendation
Correct answer: At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week, plus muscle-strengthening activities
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week, plus muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days.
Question 3: How should a CHC help a sedentary client begin an exercise routine?
- Start with the maximum recommended activity level immediately
- Begin with small, achievable increments that build gradually, focusing on activities the client enjoys (Correct answer)
- Recommend only gym-based workouts
- Wait until the client reaches their ideal weight before starting exercise
Correct answer: Begin with small, achievable increments that build gradually, focusing on activities the client enjoys
Starting with small, achievable increments that build gradually while focusing on enjoyable activities maximizes adherence and reduces injury risk for previously sedentary clients.
Question 4: What safety considerations should a CHC address before a client increases physical activity?
- Safety screenings are unnecessary for healthy adults
- Review medical history, use PAR-Q screening, identify contraindications, and recommend physician clearance when appropriate (Correct answer)
- Only clients over 65 need safety screening
- A simple verbal confirmation of health is sufficient
Correct answer: Review medical history, use PAR-Q screening, identify contraindications, and recommend physician clearance when appropriate
Reviewing medical history, using PAR-Q screening, identifying contraindications, and recommending physician clearance when appropriate ensures client safety before increasing activity.
Question 5: Why is it important for health coaches to understand the difference between physical activity and exercise?
- There is no meaningful difference
- Physical activity includes all movement while exercise is structured and planned; both contribute to health and coaches should encourage both (Correct answer)
- Only structured exercise provides health benefits
- Health coaches should only discuss structured exercise programs
Correct answer: Physical activity includes all movement while exercise is structured and planned; both contribute to health and coaches should encourage both
Physical activity encompasses all movement including daily tasks, while exercise is structured and planned. Both contribute to health, and encouraging overall movement alongside formal exercise maximizes benefits.
Question 6: How should a CHC address a client's exercise barriers?
- Tell the client they need more discipline
- Collaboratively identify specific barriers and brainstorm practical solutions that fit the client's life circumstances (Correct answer)
- Ignore barriers and focus only on motivation
- Lower all expectations to eliminate any challenge
Correct answer: Collaboratively identify specific barriers and brainstorm practical solutions that fit the client's life circumstances
Collaboratively identifying specific barriers and brainstorming practical solutions helps clients develop personalized strategies that address their real-world challenges to being active.
CHC Physical Activity & Exercise Coaching
What is the CHC's scope of practice regarding exercise prescription?