Alison Mudge, MBBS, FRACP, Physician, Department of Internal Medicine and Aged Care, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia.
Robert Mullins, MAppSci (Clin Ex Sci), Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Heart Failure Service, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia.
Julie Adsett, BPhty (Hons), Physiotherapist, Heart Failure Service, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia.

Exercise offers significant health benefits to older people, but may also carry risks of injury and cardiovascular events. These can be minimized with appropriate screening, prescription, and monitoring of an exercise program. Tailored exercise prescription is developed in consultation with the participant, taking into account identified risks, functional limitations, and individual goals. Exercise professionals can provide valuable assistance with screening, prescription, and supervision of an exercise program, but limited access to experienced staff and supervised programs remains a significant barrier to exercise participation. Innovative models of care are required to investigate optimal participant targeting, long-term exercise adherence, and cost-effectiveness.
Key words: exercise therapy, physical fitness health services for older adults, risk assessment, patient compliance.