Doctor gets ACE certified … and more !!!
Here in FIT Malaysia, we always have a vast array of individuals from different races, cultures and backgrounds who come together when they take up the ACE Personal Trainer course.
One very interesting individual we decided to interview for our blog is Dr Kavitha Mahadevan, a doctor in University Hospital who is specializing in Sports Medicine.
Read on to find out why this fit, beautiful bride to be/doctor decides to add on a fitness certification to her already busy life ! ….
So tell us a little bit about yourself…
Im a practising doctor in University Hospital and is currently pursuing a speciality masters programme in Sports Medicine. Will be graduating as a Sports Medicine physician by the year 2015 (keeping my fingers tightly crossed) if all runs smoothly. Very much enjoy working out in the gym, hiking and belly dance classes whenever time is on my side. Now that Im back to studies, books and research papers have since become my best friend 🙁
Tell us how you became interested in the field of medicine…
To start, I was horrible at mathematics and physics. So obviously, anything that dealt with numbers and formulas was out of my list. I come from a family of the same profession with both parents and brother being practising doctors. As much as my parents were not keen for me to do medicine, there was a strong calling and I entered International Medical University to pursue medicine in the year 2001.
How did you find out about the ACE Personal Trainer course and what made you decide to do the course ?
I started spending time actively in the gym since 5 years ago. Then I would always find ways and advices to improve my fitness and health by creating various exercises to cater my needs. As i was browsing through the internet, I came across FIT Malaysia webpage and immediately called. I still remember that it was Kim who first picked up my call and rest is history. Took the ACE PT course in August 2010. Having my medical background was indeed a survival weapon for me as the remaining ACE students were very fluent with personal training while I was not.
And what was your experience of the course ?
ACE PT was indeed an eye opener for me. Began to notice how many of us were performing exercises incorrectly and with poor biomechanics that lead to various musculoskeletal injuries. Drawing out exercises prescriptions in accordance to the ACSM guidelines was challenging but over time, it groomed me well to advice my family and friends on appropriate exercises and precautions to be taken. Of course, getting a Polar FT7 heart rate monitor as a complimentary gift from FIT was indeed very encouraging.
What did you do with the knowledge you gained, and with this additional certification ?
You wouldn’t be suprised if I were to tell that it was ACE PT certification that made me to decide to take up Sports Medicine as a speciality. So I can only thank FIT Malaysia for that.
What made you decide to take up an advanced certification – the Advanced Health & Fitness Specialist ?
In my current scope of practise, I deal mainly with patients who are morbidly obesed and are further complicated by various medical disorders such as diabetes, hypertension and ischemic heart diseases. As we doctors are not personal trainers, I felt it was important for me to know, advise and teach these patients safe exercises to be done and for them to know that exercise is indeed the most important medicine for their ailments. So myself being a doctor who has knowledge in peronal training is indeed very beneficial especially after getting the AHFS certification.
How does this tie up with your current job and your professional aspirations ?
Most of the patients who are referred to my clinic for obesity are complicated with medical disorders. Now with the AHFS certification, I can safely and confidently provide adequate and beneficial exercise recommendation to these patients of mine. Personal trainers get a good share of clients when patients hear from their doctors that they are safe and cleared for exercise. That’s good since it clears half of my work load 🙂
You are now part of the facilitator team at FIT Malaysia, are you excited about this ?
I was very excited when I got the call from Jerrican as I have always enjoyed teaching. Well, this is definitely going to be a great symbiosis. Many personal trainers shy away when they are approached by clients who have various complications. Now that FIT Malaysia has a doctor in their team, I hope to provide a good point of referral and a source of medical knowledge to fellow FIT students.
Give us what a typical work day for you would be like ….
Im an early bird. My day usually starts by 6am when I hit the gym. Get a good workout before work starts at 8am. In the clinic, I deal with sports related injuries, post surgical rehabilitation, rehabilitation of non sports related orthopaedic injuries, exercise clearance, testing, precription and overseeing patients who are exercising in the clinic gym. Occasionally Im off for sports coverages where I provide acute management of injuries on site.
Any words of wisdom you would like to leave our readers with ( what you think of the future of fitness, of the medical profession or anything you would like to say ! )
The fitness industry is going to be in demand with the increasing percentage of obesity around the world. Its important for personal trainers to know this alarming scene and be prepared with adequate and updated knowledge to deal with such clients with various medical complications. Gone pass the days where we are looking at simple weight loss programmes or those wanting a 6 pack. Always remember that exercise is not merely an aesthetic modality but also as a very important medical therapy.
” Interesting stuff we’re learning today guys … 🙂 “
At FIT Malaysia, helping to teach Training Clients with Low Back Pain course
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