| Course | EF205 Principles of Exercise Science |
|---|---|
| Unit | Unit 4 |
| Paper type | Preparticipation screening worksheet |
| Length | About 720 words, 5 pages double-spaced |
| Format | APA 7 student paper |
| School | Purdue University Global |
| Program | BS in Health Science |
| Updated | October 2026 |
Free sample paper for EF205 Unit 4
Seven Noes and a Green Light for Moderate Exercise: A Unit 4 Preparticipation Screening Worksheet Before Training for a 5K
[Student Name]
Purdue University Global
EF205: Principles of Exercise Science
Unit 4 Preparticipation Screening Worksheet
[Instructor Name]
[Date]
The student and her health history are composite; the screening tools and sources cited are real, and the worksheet is not medical advice.
Why Screen Before Exercise
For most people, the benefits of physical activity far outweigh the risks. Screening exists to identify the small number of people for whom starting or increasing exercise carries an elevated risk of a cardiac event, so they can check with a provider first. Riebe et al. (2015) updated the American College of Sports Medicine's approach to reduce unnecessary referrals, which can discourage people from becoming active, while still identifying those at risk.
Tool One: The PAR-Q+
The Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone asks seven general health questions, such as whether a doctor has said you have a heart condition or high blood pressure, whether you feel chest pain at rest or during activity, whether you lose balance from dizziness or have lost consciousness, whether you have another chronic medical condition, whether you take prescribed medication for a chronic condition, whether you have a bone, joint or soft tissue problem that could be made worse by activity and whether a doctor has said you should only do medically supervised activity (PAR-Q+ Collaboration, 2023). Answering no to all seven indicates that a person can generally begin becoming more active, starting slowly and building up.
My answers. No to all seven. I considered the joint question carefully because of my low back tightness after long shifts, but it is occasional, goes away overnight and has never been diagnosed as a condition or limited my activity, so I answered no. If it worsened or began causing pain down my leg, I would reconsider.
Tool Two: The ACSM Screening Algorithm
The 2015 algorithm works through three points in turn: whether someone already exercises regularly, whether heart, metabolic or kidney disease has been diagnosed and whether symptoms suggest such disease. The answers, together with the intensity the person plans to do, determine whether medical clearance is recommended (Riebe et al., 2015). Unlike earlier versions, it no longer counts risk factors such as age or cholesterol to decide clearance.
My path. I do not currently exercise regularly by the algorithm's definition, which requires planned exercise of at least moderate intensity on three or more days a week for the past three months; my walking at work does not meet it. I have no known cardiovascular, metabolic or renal disease, and no symptoms such as chest discomfort, unusual breathlessness, fainting or ankle swelling. For someone in that position, the algorithm indicates that medical clearance is not necessary, that light to moderate exercise is recommended to start and that intensity can progress gradually toward vigorous exercise, following guidelines.
Both tools gave the same answer: start, but start at moderate effort and build up, which is exactly what my walk test already suggested.
The Item I Was Unsure About
The back tightness was the only item that gave me pause. Screening tools are designed to catch problems that could make exercise unsafe, not every ache. Because mine is mild, temporary and related to posture at work, I judged that it did not change my answers. I did decide to mention it at my next routine checkup and to stop any exercise that makes it worse.
Warning Signs to Stop and Seek Care
During any exercise session, I will stop and contact a health care provider if I experience chest pain, pressure or tightness; unusual shortness of breath that does not ease with rest; dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting; a racing or irregular heartbeat; or back pain that spreads down a leg or causes numbness. The federal guidelines advise people to increase activity gradually and to be alert to such symptoms (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2018).
What the Screening Means for the Plan
The screening clears me to start a moderate-intensity program and progress gradually, which fits my goal of running a 5K in about sixteen weeks. It also means I should repeat the PAR-Q+ if anything about my health changes, and before moving to regular vigorous running.
References
PAR-Q+ Collaboration. (2023). The Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone (PAR-Q+). https://eparmedx.com/
Riebe, D., Franklin, B. A., Thompson, P. D., Garber, C. E., Whitfield, G. P., Magal, M., & Pescatello, L. S. (2015). Updating ACSM's recommendations for exercise preparticipation health screening. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 47(11), 2473-2479. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000000664
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2018). Physical activity guidelines for Americans (2nd ed.). https://health.gov/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/physical-activity-guidelines
Reading the EF 205 Unit 4 instructions
Unit 4 often asks students to complete a health appraisal and preparticipation screening before fitness testing. Expect to work through one or more tools, commonly the PAR-Q+ and the ACSM algorithm, record the answers and explain how each tool reaches its conclusion. Instructors look for understanding of why screening exists and how the current algorithm differs from older risk-factor approaches. Any uncertain answer should be reasoned through rather than skipped. Many prompts ask for warning signs that would stop exercise and for what the screening means for the training plan. The worksheet is educational, so it should note that a health care provider makes clinical decisions. Explaining when to repeat the screening shows the student sees it as ongoing rather than a one-time box to tick.
How this EF205 Unit 4 example is built
The worksheet opens with why screening exists and how the 2015 update reduced unnecessary referrals. The PAR-Q+ section summarizes the seven questions and records seven noes, explaining the reasoning behind the joint question. The algorithm section walks through the three questions, current exercise, known disease and symptoms, and shows where the student lands. A highlighted line notes that both tools agree with what the walk test already suggested. A section explains the uncertain item and the decision to mention it at a checkup. Warning signs that would stop a session follow. A final section links the result to the training plan and states when to rescreen. It also records that the writer will raise the back tightness at a routine checkup.
EF205 Unit 4 rubric: what earns full points
Screening worksheets are graded on accurate use of the tools and sound reasoning. Each tool should be described correctly and applied to the student's answers. Graders reward understanding of the current algorithm, including the end of risk-factor counting. Uncertain answers should be reasoned through openly. Warning signs to stop exercise should be accurate and specific. Linking the result to intensity and progression in the plan shows the screening was used. Stating that clinical decisions belong to a provider shows appropriate scope. APA 7 entries are needed for the PAR-Q+ page, the Riebe update and the activity guidelines. A note on when to repeat the screening, such as before vigorous training, adds the forward-looking element many rubrics expect.
EF205 Unit 4 help: mistakes that cost points
Screening worksheets often tick through the questionnaire without explaining what any answer means. Another frequent error is describing the old risk-factor approach as current practice. Some students treat a single yes as a ban on exercise, rather than a reason to check with a provider. Others skip an uncertain answer or answer it optimistically without reasoning. Leaving out warning signs during exercise is a safety gap. Before writing, download the current PAR-Q+ and the ACSM algorithm and answer both honestly. Share your answers and any item you are unsure of, and the worksheet can be drafted with you.
Get an EF205 Unit 4 example written to your instructions
Share your health history and the instructions with the rubric. A custom worksheet works through the screening and explains the result. It arrives within 24-48h; first requests are free. The paper above is an original model document written by our desk, not a submitted student paper and not an official Purdue University Global document.
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EF205 Unit 4 questions, answered
What is preparticipation screening?
A process to identify people who should see a health care provider before starting or increasing exercise.
What tools are used?
Common ones are the PAR-Q+ and the ACSM screening algorithm.
Does a positive screen mean I cannot exercise?
No. It usually means checking with a provider first.
Where can I find a free EF205 Unit 4 sample paper?
The complete EF205 Unit 4 preparticipation screening worksheet is published on this page, applying the PAR-Q+ and the ACSM algorithm before training for a 5K.
What did the screening conclude in the EF205 Unit 4 sample?
No medical clearance was needed; the student should begin with light to moderate exercise and progress gradually, rescreening before regular vigorous running or after any health change.