Apart from the various certifications there are a list of books one can read to get more in depth knowledge on how to plan exercise programs for special population.

Also, as we saw that there are institutes which have a very strict criteria for special population certifications. Most people around the world won’t be able to fulfill that. But thankfully there are books available by the same institutes online, which you can buy and use it as a great resource.

Here are my top recommendations:

• Essentials of Training Special Population – NSCA – clients with special conditions often require modifications to general exercise recommendations, specific exercise facility design, and particular training equipment. They may also require exercise programming supervised by exercise professionals with specialized training. NSCA’s Essentials of Training Special Populations will help exercise professionals design customized programs for clients with unique considerations. It is an ideal preparatory resource for those seeking to become an NSCA Certified Special Population Specialist (CSPS) as well as professionals who work in collaboration with health care professionals to assess, educate, and train special population clients of all ages regarding their health and fitness needs. Editor Patrick L. Jacobs, who has extensive experience as both a practitioner and scholar, and a team of qualified contributors provide evidence-based information and recommendations on particular training protocols for a breadth of conditions, including musculoskeletal conditions, cardiovascular conditions, immunologic disorders, and cancer.

The book discusses the benefits of exercise for clients with special conditions and the exercise-related challenges they often face, as well as the importance of safe and effective health and fitness assessments for these clients. With an emphasis on published research, NSCA’s Essentials of Training Special Populations reviews the pathology and pathophysiology of numerous conditions and disorders, including the known effects of exercise on those conditions and disorders. Each chapter includes tables that provide exercise recommendations for specific conditions, complete with training modifications, precautions, and contraindications. Also included are case studies with practical examples of the application of these population-specific recommendations, as well as a summary of the commonly prescribed medications and their potential effects on exercise responses and adaptations.

• Exercise Management for Persons With Chronic Diseases and Disabilities – ACSM – this text reveals common ground between medical and exercise professionals, creating a more collaborative approach to patient care. Developed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) with contributions from a specialized team of experts, this text presents a framework for optimizing patients’ and clients’ functionality by keeping them physically active. ACSM’s Exercise Management for Persons With Chronic Diseases and Disabilities outlines why exercise is significant in the treatment and prevention of disease, advises medical and exercise professionals in considering proper exercise prescription protocols, and provides evidence-informed guidance on devising individualized exercise programs.

The critical element that distinguishes ACSM’s Exercise Management for Persons With Chronic Diseases and Disabilities is its unifying mission to incorporate physical activity and exercise in both disease treatment and prevention. Its emphasis on assisting people with multiple conditions, which is ever present in health care today, moves beyond primary and secondary prevention to focus on how patients and clients can be kept physically active and functionally fit.

• Exercise for Special Populations – Peggie L. Williamson – focusing on the specific needs of people with a certain disease, condition, or stage of life, this book discusses the special fitness and nutritional needs of various populations. Not only are overall health, fitness, and exercise recommendations discussed, but anatomy and physiology is covered to promote understanding of changes that occur among body systems as diseases or conditions develop.

This text focuses on building appropriate exercise programs, physiological changes associated with various conditions, important precautions during exercise, outcome expectations, and basic nutritional considerations for various populations who frequently seek the services of a health and fitness professional. This book will serve as a comprehensive course text for students enrolled in personal training programs and students pursuing health/fitness professional degrees.