Section 5: Case Study
This part of your examination is worth 160 points and consists of 2 Case Study
questions
Case Study Questions
Please note the following when constructing your Case Studies:
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Instructions:
This section of your final exam provides you with an opportunity to apply all of the
information you have learned throughout the course to the work that you will be
doing as a certified professional.
You will be presented with two client profiles, and will be asked to design a 12-
week periodized program for each client. In addition to describing the logistics of
the program, you will also be asked to explain why you have designed the program
the way that you have.
Approach these clients as you would approach a real-life situation. Your client
should be able to take your program and put it into practice without having to
contact you for explanation of what to do or why to do it.
Before you finalize your submission, make sure your program passes the following
tests:
1. Is the training program that you are designing appropriate, safe, and effective
for the client, given the client’s physical abilities and primary goals?
2. Could you defend your program from a legal standpoint? Who would be held
liable if your client was injured during training because of either lifting too much
weight or exceeding a certain heart rate?
3. Is your program justifiable from a business standpoint? Are you professional
with your current clients? Would they refer their friends, family, or colleagues to
you based on the guidance that you provide in your program design?
4. Imagine that YOU are the paying client. Would you feel that your money was
well spent if you were handed the training program/dietary recommendations?
Case Study 1
Calculations: Calculate the client’s target heart rate using the Karvonen formula.
Training Program: Design a full 12-week periodized training program for the client
described in the Client Profile. Be very specific as you design the training program.
This is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your full comprehension of the
information and concepts discussed throughout the course. List the types of
exercise, duration, sets, reps, rest intervals, and so on.
Include the following in your case study submission:
A description of your professional responsibilities as discussed in the stages
of the drawing-in process (Unit 12)
Discussion of any fitness tests, methods of evaluation, and data collection
used to assess and evaluate the client’s needs
Specific conditions that you have identified in the client profile
A fully detailed 12-week comprehensive and periodized training program
including specific exercises, sets, repetitions, suggested rest times, etc. Use
an integrated approach in your program recommendations.
Specific and detailed nutritional strategies and an explanation as to how the
strategies will assist the client in meeting energy needs
Explanation for your chosen assessment, programming, and nutritional
recommendations. (Be sure to reference course concepts when
discussing rationale for your recommendations.
Keep in mind that a client should be able to take your program and put it into
practice without having to contact you to clarify what you intended by your
recommendations or to explain parts of your program.
Don’t forget your explanation for WHY you listed and recommended what you did.
Reference the concepts and theories covered in the course. Be sure to address
why the program and exercises recommended are appropriate for the specific
client given the client’s history, current abilities, and intended goal(s). For
example: if you are developing a program for a beginner client without any
resistance training experience, explain how your program addresses the lack of
experience, initial need for foundational development, process by which you would
safely progress the client, etc. Tying your program to course concepts is a critical
component of your case study.
Review the Client Profile below.
Client Profile: Diana Prince
Age: 37
Gender: Female
Resting Heart Rate: 75 bpm
Height: 5’5″
Weight: 165 lb
Body Fat Percentage: 31%
Background and Goals: Diana is a 37-year-old mother of two children. She used to
exercise fairly consistently (mostly jogging and light aerobic activities) before
having kids. Ever since she had her first child 9 years ago, she has not been very
active. Diana has her 20-year high school reunion coming up in 3 months (12
weeks). She would like to look and feel her best and is eager and willing to spend
the next 12 weeks doing what she can to change her body.
