ADULT PRE-EXERCISE SCREENING TOOL

This screening tool does not provide advice on a particular matter, nor does it substitute for advice from an appropriately qualified
medical professional. No warranty of safety should result from its use. The screening system in no way guarantees against injury or
death. No responsibility or liability whatsoever can be accepted by Exercise and Sports Science Australia, Fitness Australia or Sports
Medicine Australia for any loss, damage or injury that may arise from any person acting on any statement or information contained in
this tool.

Name:
Date of Birth: Male Female Date:

STAGE 1 (COMPULSORY)
AIM: to identify those individuals with a known disease, or signs or symptoms of disease, who may be at a higher risk of
an adverse event during physical activity/exercise. This stage is self administered and self evaluated.
Please circle response

1. Has your doctor ever told you that you have a heart condition or have Yes No
you ever suffered a stroke?

2. Do you ever experience unexplained pains in your chest at rest or Yes No

during physical activity/exercise?

3. Do you ever feel faint or have spells of dizziness during physical Yes No
activity/exercise that causes you to lose balance?

4. Have you had an asthma attack requiring immediate medical Yes No

attention at any time over the last 12 months?

5. If you have diabetes (type I or type II) have you had trouble Yes No
controlling your blood glucose in the last 3 months?

6. Do you have any diagnosed muscle, bone or joint problems that you Yes No
have been told could be made worse by participating in physical
activity/exercise?

7. Do you have any other medical condition(s) that may make it Yes No
dangerous for you to participate in physical activity/exercise?

IF YOU ANSWERED YES to any of the 7 questions, please seek

guidance from your GP or appropriate allied health professional prior to
undertaking physical activity/exercise

IF YOU ANSWERED NO to all of the 7 questions, and you have no other

concerns about your health, you may proceed to undertake light-moderate
intensity physical activity/exercise

I believe that to the best of my knowledge, all of the information I have supplied within this tool is correct.
Signature Date

V1 (2011) Page 1
 EXERCISE INTENSITY GUIDELINES

INTENSITY HEART RATE PERCEIVED EXERTION DESCRIPTIVE

CATEGORY MEASURES MEASURES MEASURES

Activities that usually

involve sitting or
< 40% Very, very light lying and that have
SEDENTARY little additional
HRmax RPE# < 1 movement and a low
energy requirement

An aerobic activity
that does not cause a
noticeable change in
40 to <55% Very light to light
LIGHT breathing rate
HRmax RPE# 1-2 An intensity that can
be sustained for at
least 60 minutes

An aerobic activity
that is able to be
conducted whilst
Moderate to maintaining a
55 to <70%
MODERATE somewhat hard conversation
HRmax uninterrupted
RPE# 3-4 An intensity that may
last between 30 and
60 minutes

An aerobic activity in
which a conversation
generally cannot
70 to <90% Hard be maintained
VIGOROUS uninterrupted
HRmax RPE# 5-6 An intensity that may
last up to about 30
minutes

An intensity that
90% Very hard generally cannot be
HIGH sustained for longer
HRmax RPE# 7 than about
10 minutes

# = Borgs Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale, category scale 0-10

V1 (2011) Page 2
 ADULT PRE-EXERCISE SCREENING TOOL
STAGE 2 (OPTIONAL)
Name:
Date of Birth: Date:
AIM: To identify those individuals with risk factors or other conditions to assist with appropriate exercise prescription.
This stage is to be administered by a qualified exercise professional.
RISK FACTORS

1. Age
45yrs Males or 55yrs Females
Gender +1 risk factor

2. Family history of heart disease (eg: stroke, heart If male < 55yrs = +1 risk factor
attack)
Relative Age Relative Age If female < 65yrs = +1 risk factor

Father Mother Maximum of 1 risk factor for this

question
Brother Sister
Son Daughter
3. Do you smoke cigarettes on a daily or weekly basis or If yes, (smoke regularly or
have you quit smoking in the last 6 months? Yes No given up within the past 6 months)
= +1 risk factor
If currently smoking, how many per
day or week?

4. Describe your current physical activity/exercise levels: If physical activity level

< 150 min/ week = +1 risk factor
Sedentary Light Moderate Vigorous
If physical activity level

Frequency 150 min/ week = -1 risk factor

sessions per week
(vigorous physical activity/ exercise
Duration
minutes per week weighted x 2)

5. Please state your height (cm)

weight (kg) BMI = ________________
BMI 30 kg/m2 = +1 risk factor

6. Have you been told that you have high blood

pressure?Yes No If yes, = +1 risk factor

7. Have you been told that you have high cholesterol?

Yes No If yes, = +1 risk factor

8. Have you been told that you have high blood

sugar?Yes No If yes, = +1 risk factor

Note: Refer over page for risk stratification. STAGE 2 Total Risk Factors =

V1 (2011) Page 3
 9. Have you spent time in hospital (including day admission) for If yes, provide details
any medical condition/illness/injury during the last 12 months?

Yes No

10. Are you currently taking a prescribed medication(s) If yes, what is the medical condition(s)?
for any medical conditions(s)? Yes No
11. Are you pregnant or have you given birth within If yes, provide details. I am _____________
the last 12 months? Yes No months pregnant or postnatal (circle).

12. Do you have any muscle, bone or joint pain or soreness that is If yes, provide details
made worse by particular types of activity? Yes No

STAGE 3 (OPTIONAL)
AIM: To obtain pre-exercise baseline measurements of other recognised cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors. This
stage is to be administered by a qualified exercise professional. (Measures 1, 2 & 3 minimum qualification, Certificate
III in Fitness; Measures 4 and 5 minimum level, Exercise Physiologist*).
RESULTS RISK FACTORS

1. BMI (kg/m2) BMI 30 kg/m2 = +1 risk factor

2. Waist girth (cm) Waist > 94 cm for men and

> 80 cm for women = +1 risk factor

3. Resting BP (mmHg) SBP 140 mmHg or DBP 90 mmHg

= +1 risk factor

4. Fasting lipid profile* Total cholesterol 5.20 mmol/L = +1 risk factor

Total cholesterol HDL cholesterol >1.55 mmol/L = -1 risk factor

HDL HDL cholesterol < 1.00 mmol/L = +1 risk factor

Triglycerides Triglycerides 1.70 mmol/L = +1 risk factor

LDL LDL cholesterol 3.40 mmol/L = +1 risk factor

5 Fasting blood glucose* Fasting glucose 5.50 mmol = +1 risk factor

STAGE 3 Total Risk Factors =

RISK STRATIFICATION
2 RISK FACTORS MODERATE RISK CLIENTS
Individuals at moderate risk may participate in aerobic
Total stage 2 physical activity/exercise at a light or moderate intensity
(Refer to the exercise intensity table on page 2)
or
Total stage 3 < 2 RISK FACTORS LOW RISK CLIENTS
Plus stage 2 (Q1 - Q4) Individuals at low risk may participate in aerobic physical
activity/exercise up to a vigorous or high intensity
(Refer to the exercise intensity table on page 2)

Note: If stage 3 is completed, identified risk factors from stage 2 (Q1-4) and stage 3 should be combined to indicate risk. If there are extreme or multiple risk factors, the
exercise professional should use professional judgement to decide whether further medical advice is required.

V1 (2011) Page 4