Medical Exercise Training is important and you need it!

 

While Medical Exercise Training is relatively the "new kid" on the block it is a vital form of exercise that many people should take advantage of. Especially if you are over the age of 45. 

MET, or Medical Exercise Training is a very specific type of exercise training and it is not delivered by your typical personal trainer. The Medical Exercise Specialist or MES, must enroll with the Medical Exercise Training Institute and plan on studying for a minimum of 9 months in a rather rigorous curriculum that covers strength training, cardiovascular exercise, flexibility, balance training while gaining an understanding of the medical conditions that may have given them medical problems that have affected their ability to have functional movement and thus requiring medical attention. 

In addition, the MES must be familiar with medical terminology as well as understand their "Scope of Practice". The MES does not diagnose nor does the MES treat any form of disease. Medical Exercise helps to manage medical conditions through correspondence with the individual's doctor so as to deliver them a safe and effective Medical Exercise program. 

High on the list of learning is kinesiology, biomechanics, physiology, cardiovascular health and function, metabolism, functional anatomy, medical communications as well as knowing how to take an in-depth medical health history. During the 9 months there will be case studies to complete, and understanding how to address issues such as Achilles Tendon ruptures, Impingement Syndrome, ACL tears, Meniscus tears and much, much more. 

These are not your typical studies that a personal trainer gains with a certification program. And the founder of the Medical Exercise Training Institute is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with over 30 years of experience and has worked with hundreds of pro, Olympic and Elite College athletes. And he wanted elite personal trainers to know how to address the needs of individuals once they were released from physical therapy. Thus the medical exercise profession was born in 1994. I graduated the METI and became a Certified Medical Exercise Specialist in 2008 and I have practiced in Somerset as an MES since 2008 but I have been a Board Registered Trainer since 2005 and a Certified Personal Trainer since 1983 in addition to holding numerous other elite certifications.

So the question is, why is Medical Exercise important to you? 

Well, I am going to address that issue over the next few blogs. I have learned that if you put down too much in one sitting, you will lose most people, so I like to keep my blogs short and interesting. 

So next issue I am going to cover that all important question as to why MET is right for you.

Until then,

Stay healthy, Stay Strong and Stay Functional!