Chapter 9 Cardiovascular Training Program Design
Cardiovascular (CV) Training
Program Design
E
ffective training programs must be well rounded to include
all of the essential components of fitness including cardio-
vascular fitness. Once the initial consultation and fitness
assessment have been completed, the Personal Trainer will have
a clear understanding of the fitness of the heart, blood vessels,
and lungs.The Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) was launched
in 2007. They collected information relevant to the health of
Canadians by means of direct physical measurements of cardio-
vascular fitness. Aerobic fitness was assessed using the Cana-
dian Aerobic Fitness Test. By calculating the predicted maximal
aerobic power, an estimate of the maximum volume of oxygen an
individual will intake per minute of exercise relative to their body
weight was determined.In January 2010, they released a report called the Fitness of
Canadian Adults: Results from the 2007-2009 Canadian Health
Measures Survey. Some of the findings related to cardiovascular
fitness for the 2007 to 2009 period indicated that approximately
27 per cent of men and 22 per cent of women had an excellent
or very good health benefits level, based on their aerobic fitness
levels, 32 per cent of Canadian men and women aged 15 to 69
were categorized as having a good health benefit level, based on
their aerobic fitness ratings, and 40 per cent of men and 47 per
cent of women had a fair and needs improvement health ben-
efits level, based on their aerobic fitness levels. Among adults,
decreases in fitness levels between 1981 and 2009 were particu-
larly pronounced for young adults aged 20 to 39 years^1. Given
these statistics, there is no question that cardiovascular (CV)
training is an important part of a training program.There are many things to consider when designing a cardiovas-
cular training program. These include the client’s current level
of fitness, their fitness goals, and their exercise history. In addi-
tion, the trainer needs to look at the frequency of the CV workout,
what modality they will use, the duration of the session, the target
training zone the client will work in, how many rest days between
sessions, and the client’s personal preference. Then the trainer
will need to decide whether the client will complete the CV work
out on their own or whether the session will be overseen by the
trainer.