INDUSTRY NEWS

The European Health and Fitness Association (EHFA) has reported the findings and recommendations from its Fitness Against Doping research project to the European Commission and national anti-doping organisations. More than 800 REPs’ members took part in the survey last year, which showed that the prevalence of doping practice within the fitness industry is actually quite small. However, it has been decided that policy guidance from the sector is needed. More information at: http://bit.ly/zgEvuO

2012 is the European year of Active Ageing and EHFA have developed, with wide consultation from experts, some new standards for exercise professionals called Active Ageing Trainer which are at the European Qualification Framework (EQF) level 4 – equivalent to UK level 3. These are complimentary to some other new standards for Trainers Working with Children and Adolescents.

A new occupation known as Exercise Specialist has been developed at EQF level 5 (UK level 4). According to available

Funded training opportunity for REPs’ members

REPs’ members in England could qualify for match-funded training as part of the Government’s Joint Investment Programme.

Supported by SkillsActive, in partnership with the Fitness Industry Association (FIA), the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) and the Sport and Fitness Employers Group (SAFE), specific training courses have been identified to support public health and the delivery of physical activity. The courses, which will be co- ordinated by Sussex Downs College, have been specially identified as filling existing skills-gaps in the fitness sector.

The courses available are: l L2 Award in Understanding Health Improvement l L3 Award in Adapting Exercise for Older Adults * l L3 Award in Adapting Physical Activity for Older Adults * l L2 Award in Community Activation l L3 Unit - Enabling Individuals to Change Behaviour and Improve Health and Well-being while working as a Health Trainer

l L3 Unit - Customer Service in the Sport and Active Leisure Industry

l L3 Award in Adapting Physical Activity for Ante and Post Natal Participants *

l L3 Award in Adapting Physical Activity for People with Disabilities *

l L4 Certificate for the management of lower back pain* Employers, or those who are self-employed, will be expected to provide 50% of the cost of the qualification and the Skills Funding Agency will match this.

Courses marked with * give REPs’ categories, others gain CPD points. To register your interest in the programme visit Survey Monkey JIP. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3SX7G67

08 EREPS news

data, between 40% and 60% of Europe’s population leads a sedentary lifestyle, and only about 31% are able to complete the EU guidelines of 30 minutes of moderate physical activity daily (Eurobarometer, 2010). An Exercise Specialist has the ability to communicate sensitively with a wide range of individuals that have existing chronic medical conditions or are at high risk of developing them due to their lifestyle. They will be able to programme and supervise exercise for individuals (and groups if they hold this prior competency) with a range of chronic medical conditions determined to be of low or moderate risk of an adverse event according to recognised stratification tools. They will also be able to communicate effectively with medical and healthcare professionals about patients’ conditions using correct medical terminology and have an understanding of the standard treatment options for an individual’s condition.

FIA rolls out nationwide study into the “power of the professional”

Following a successful pilot study, the FIA Research Institute is set to launch the biggest ever nationwide investigation into the impact of physical activity counselling delivered by exercise professionals.

The FIA Research Institute at the University of Greenwich, sponsored by MyZone, Technogym and training providers Lifetime, has been investigating the impact of structured exercise and physical activity counselling upon cardiovascular health and psychological wellbeing.

The results of the pilot are currently being analysed for publication in peer reviewed journals, but initial analysis has shown very positive results, with significant improvements in a plethora of cardiovascular risk factors and physiological markers of health for all groups.

This may provide a way to reach further into communities and enable exercise professionals to help those most at risk, who need counselling before taking the first steps to exercise.

The success of the pilot study means the FIA Research Institute is now preparing to launch a nationwide investigation across 25 sites, with 2000 participants.

The selected 25 sites will each nominate two ‘Health and Wellbeing Champions’ to undergo training and take responsibility for approximately 100 participants. This style of investigation has never been attempted in the UK before and the data collected will provide vital evidence regarding the role the physical activity sector can play in public health.

For more about the FIA Research Institute or the email stephenwilson@fia.org.uk

The REPs Journal 2012;24(May):8-9

European Register of Exercise Professionals

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