Final answer:
The FITT recommendation for inpatient cardiac rehabilitation stands for Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type. It is used to structure exercise programs for cardiac patients, focusing on how often, how hard, how long, and what type of exercises should be performed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The FITT recommendation for inpatient cardiac rehabilitation stands for Frequency, Intensity, Time, and Type. This acronym refers to the four areas of concern when creating a cardiac rehabilitation program for patients who have experienced cardiac events. FITT can help structure the rehabilitation sessions to ensure patients receive the most benefit.
In the context of inpatient cardiac rehabilitation:
- Frequency refers to how often a patient should perform certain exercises or physical activity.
- Intensity is about how hard the exercises should be, gauging the patient's exertion level.
- Time addresses the duration of each exercise session.
- Type discusses the kind of exercise or activity that is recommended, which typically varies based on individual patient needs and baseline fitness levels.
Therapists and healthcare providers often “increase the intensity,” “increase the frequency,” and “alter the target“ goals as the patient progresses through their rehabilitation journey.