Physiology experts recognize the importance of a full pre-exercise history before starting an intense gym regimen. Health Science Professor Connie Peterson & fellow triathlete Doug Landau agree that a full & complete medical history is vital for all health & wellness professionals
While most gym members would assume that a thorough medical history would be a critical piece of information for personal trainers to have BEFORE undertaking an exercise program for a new client, a Fairfax County case reminds us how important it is for an athlete to provide the coaching staff with accurate information.
In this case, the Plaintiff alleged that on June 14, 2010, she was attending a session with a personal trainer at Fitness Together in Chantilly, Virginia, which was owned and operated by Mason Mays Enterprises, LLC.
Plaintiff alleged that she was asked to perform step up exercises with 25-pound dumbbells and injured her lower back. The plaintiff claimed that the trainer was negligent for recommending the exercise with weights that were too heavy for someone of the plaintiff’s age and physical condition.
As reported in Virginia Lawyers Weekly, plaintiff’s counsel alleged disc herniations requiring lumbar fusion surgery.
Special damages were claimed to be:
- $154,307 for lumbar fusion surgery and rehabilitation;
- $36,453 for spinal cord stimulator;
- and estimated $106,000 for future lumbar decompression
The plaintiff designated two liability experts to testify concerning the standard of care. However, the Circuit Court excluded the plaintiff’s liability experts’ testimony on the grounds that
personal training was not a profession with an established standard of care and that the opinions were on matters entirely within the realm of common knowledge.
The defendants argued that the accident did not occur as alleged by the plaintiff, that the exercise was appropriate for the plaintiff’s known condition, and that the plaintiff had not disclosed that she had a previous lumbar spine surgery and was taking narcotic pain medication before starting the training sessions.
Defendants called several of plaintiff’s treating physicians to testify concerning plaintiff’s medical history. The jury returned a verdict for defendants.
