This 2-hour session reviews evidence-based approaches to testing and exercise prescription for special populations in rehabilitation practice. Participants will learn how to select appropriate measures, recognize precautions and contraindications, and apply safe, individualized exercise prescription principles across medically complex patient groups.
Live Webinar
Thu, Sep 10, 2026 at 12:00 pm EDTCEUs/Hours Offered: AK/2.0; AL/2.0; AR/2.0; AZ/2.0; BOC/2.0; CA/2.0; CO/2.0; CT/2.0; DC/2.0; DE/2.0; FL/2.0; GA/2.0; HI/2.0; IA/2.0; IACET/0.2; ID/2.0; IL/2.0; IN/2.0; KS/2.0; KY/2.0; MA/2.0; MD/2.0; ME/2.0; MI/2.0; MO/2.0; MS/2.0; MT/2.0; NC/2.0; ND/2.0; NE/2.0; NH/2.0; NM/2.0; NY/2.4; OK/2.0; OR/2.0; PA/2.0; RI/2.0; SC/2.0; SD/2.0; TX/2.0; UT/2.0; VA/2.0; VT/2.0; WA/2.0; WI/2.0; WY/2.0
Learning Outcomes
- After this course, participants will be able to analyze patient presentation and risk profile to select appropriate examination and functional testing measures for special populations in rehabilitation settings.
- After this course, participants will be able to differentiate key precautions, contraindications, and monitoring considerations that influence exercise testing and prescription for medically complex or higher-risk patient groups.
- After this course, participants will be able to formulate safe, individualized exercise prescriptions using FITT principles, including progression and regression strategies, for older adults and other patients with cardiometabolic, neurologic, or musculoskeletal limitations.
Agenda
| 0-10 Minutes | Overview, audience relevance, definition of special populations, and course framework for testing and prescription. |
| 10-25 Minutes | Shared decision framework: screening, red flags, precautions, contraindications, baseline vitals, exertional response, and risk stratification |
| 25-40 Minutes | Core testing approach across populations: functional capacity, endurance, strength, balance, mobility, symptom monitoring, and documentation |
| 40-65 Minutes | Cardiovascular populations: hypertension, PAD, angina, valvular disease; testing considerations, intensity selection, and stop/modify rules |
| 65-80 Minutes | Pulmonary populations: COPD and ILD; dyspnea response, oxygen-related considerations, pacing, and progression |
| 80-95 Minutes | Metabolic and renal populations: diabetes and kidney disease; glucose response, fatigue, tolerance, monitoring, and dosage adjustment |
| 95-110 Minutes | Case-based application using 2–3 mixed cases, ideally with older age layered into at least one cardiopulmonary and one metabolic example |
| 110-120 Minutes | Key takeaways and Q&A |
Presented By
Kala Markel
PT, DPT
Dr. Kala Markel is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with the Department of Veterans Affairs, serving veterans in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. She is also an adjunct faculty member at Chatham University, where she teaches in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. With over eleven years of experience in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, Dr. Markel has worked extensively in program development and is a strong advocate for the integral role of physical therapists in cardiopulmonary care. She also works to mentor students and new professionals in this specialty, fostering the next generation of physical therapists in cardiopulmonary rehab settings.
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Financial disclosures: Kala Markel received an honorarium for presenting this course.
Non-financial disclosures: Kala Markel has no non-financial disclosures.
Sponsor Disclosure: This Course is presented by PhysicalTherapy.com, a Continued site.
Content Disclosure: This learning event does not focus exclusively on any specific product or service.
Course participation information
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California
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New Mexico
This course is offered for 2.00 hours (Intermediate level) by the New Mexico Board of Physical Therapy.
New York
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Oklahoma
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Texas Physical Therapy Association
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