Exercise prescription should use the FITT principle but be individualized for development, functional capacity, health risks, and recovery. Children need varied growth-supporting activity; older adults need aerobic, strength, and balance training; pregnant individuals need moderate, medically appropriate exercise.
How the prescriptions differ
| Population | Recommended prescription | Main adaptations and precautions |
|---|---|---|
| Children and adolescents | Average at least minutes daily of moderate-to-vigorous activity. Include vigorous aerobic and muscle- and bone-strengthening activity at least days weekly. | Prioritize enjoyment, variety, skill development, correct technique, age-appropriate resistance, and supervision rather than maximal loads. |
| Older adults | Complete minutes of moderate aerobic activity weekly, or minutes vigorous activity. Strengthen muscles at least days and perform balance training at least days. | Progress gradually while considering mobility, chronic disease, medication, fall risk, slower recovery, and sarcopenia. |
| Pregnant individuals | During an uncomplicated pregnancy, complete at least minutes of moderate aerobic activity weekly. Add suitable resistance and pelvic-floor exercises. | Seek medical guidance when needed. Avoid abdominal trauma, high fall risk, scuba diving, overheating, and prolonged supine exercise later in pregnancy. Use the talk test to monitor intensity. |
These differences reflect individualization. Children are developing physically and neurologically; older adults may experience declining bone density, balance, muscle mass, and cardiorespiratory fitness; pregnancy causes cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and thermoregulatory changes.
A common misconception is that these populations should avoid vigorous or resistance exercise entirely. Appropriately screened and supervised exercise is generally beneficial, but its mode, intensity, volume, and progression must suit the individual.
Exam technique
For an HL response, apply frequency, intensity, time, and type separately to each population and justify each modification physiologically. Link children to development, older adults to fall prevention and functional independence, and pregnancy to maternal and fetal safety within A.3.2 Benefits to health of being active.
