Before engaging in a moderate physical conditioning program, certain medical or health issues need to be addressed. This is especially important if you are over 40. Occasionally, diseases are present which the individual is not aware of. This is often true in the beginning stages of cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease - especially as an individual gets older. These undetected or "subclinical" diseases may cause problems when a vigorous exercise program is begun.

Ask yourself these key questions to see if you should get a medical screening:

Yes	No
		1. Has your doctor ever said you have heart trouble or high blood pressure?
		2. Do you have chest pain while exercising or any other time?
		3 Do you lose your balance or lose consciousness as a result of dizziness?
		4. Do you become extremely short of breath with mild exercise/exertion?
		5. Do you feel frequent skipped heartbeats?
		6. Do you ever experience blurred vision while exercising?
		7. Do you have any muscle, bone, or joint problem that could be aggravated by physical activity??
		8. Are you over age 65 and not accustomed to vigorous exercise?
		9. Is there a good physical reason not mentioned here why you should not follow an activity program even if you wanted to?

	Yes to one or more questions	No to all questions
	If you you answered any of the above questions with a "YES," you must get a health screening from your basic medical treatment facility before beginning the Targeting Fitness Program or any moderate to vigorous activity.*	If you answered PAR-Q accurately, you have reasonable assurance of your present suitability for a graduated exercise program - a gradual increase in proper exercise promotes good fitness development while minimizing or eliminating discomfort. a fitness appraisal
	Until after the medical evaluation, and you receive approval from your physician for... unrestricted physical activity, starting off easily and progressing gradually -or- restricted or supervised activity to meet your specific needs, at least on an initial basis. Check in your community for special programs or services.	If you have a temporary minor illness, such as a common cold.

*The small number of problems that are identified are usually referred for further testing and, in many cases, a specifically designed exercise program is offered to provide good fitness training while preventing further complications. It is not designed to detect unfit individuals, but to identify and treat potential medical problems before they occur.