TECHNICAL ARTICLE

was made up of 10 women and 10 men with an average age of 29 years. The number of years in the fitness field of the participants ranged from 1 to 14 years, with the average number of years of experience being 5.5 years.

A questionnaire was developed to indentify the experience of the exercise professionals with clients with autoimmune conditions and their knowledge of a variety of conditions. The questionnaire also gathered information on what training (if any) they had received in this area.

Results Table 2 summarises the fitness professionals’ level of knowledge of a variety of autoimmune conditions and whether they had experience programming clients with these conditions. The information highlights that some exercise professionals were programming for client with conditions that they lacked knowledge about, for example with Systemic Lupus Erythematous only 5% of the fitness professionals had detailed knowledge of the condition, but 30% had programmed exercise for clients with this condition. The fitness professionals demonstrated a greater knowledge on the more common autoimmune conditions such as MS, RA and Diabetes Type 1 and yet are demonstrated to have programmed for these condition more than the lesser known conditions.

Working with medical professionals The exercise professionals reported that 25% of their clients with autoimmune conditions had been referred to them via their GP. 80% felt that the GP had provided them with relevant information that supported them when programme setting for one or more condition, 20% stated no they were not provided with adequate information. The exercise professionals were asked about the sources of information they used to help them with their exercise programme planning. They reported using the internet (38%), colleagues (19%), books (19%) and GPs (8 %). ‘Other’ sources of information (16%) were listed as journal articles, clients and the company trainer. 75% of the participants thought that better access was needed to support them in programme setting for people with auto-immune conditions. They wanted trustworthy websites to have accurate scientific information. They also wanted access to more specific books, more information from the client’s doctor to give clear guidelines and precautions. Overall more accessible advice around safe and effective programming was felt to be needed and one participant suggested having a database of conditions and the best training practices with

ANSWER ThE FOLLOWING qUESTIONS

ON-LINE TO EARN CPD POINTS Please log in to the members area of the REPs website to give your answers

Q1 Q2

Q3

What percentage of the western population are affected by autoimmune diseases? a) 20% b) 12% c) 5%

How many people in total took part in the study? a) 10 b) 20 c) 5

Please devise CPD questions

What percentage of exercise professionals said their clients with autoimmune conditions had been referred to them by their GP? a) 20% b) 38% c) 25%

www.exerciseregister.org alerts to side effects that could be downloaded to a mobile device.

90% of participants thought specialist training in designing exercise programmes would be beneficial. The format of such programmes was also explored with the following formats and trainers being preferred. Online provision was the most recommended format (See table 3). After completing the questionnaire, five participants agreed to take part in an interview to explore the topic in greater depth. Follow-up questions were developed based upon answers given in the questionnaire. The main themes from the interview data were identified using thematic coding.

The results indicated that all participants developed part of their knowledge in autoimmune conditions outside of their standard training. They gained this experience from working with clients and through information the client had gained from their own GP or physiotherapist. The fitness professionals described the type of exercise programmes they designed for their clients; all used some form of resistance based training (using fixed resistance machines, dumbbell or bodyweight and vibration training) and less of the traditional cardiovascular machines. One stated that a physiotherapist they had worked with had recommended fixed resistance machines for autoimmune conditions such as RA. Overall participants found information from GPs and physiotherapists to be helpful and supportive, others felt better communication and more information or prescribed exercises from allied health professionals would have given them more confidence. Internet research was used by all, but participants were concerned with the accuracy of the information. A database of detailed and evidence-based information was thought to be useful and the fitness medical professionals indicated that courses led by a variety of professionals would be beneficial to them for clients with autoimmune conditions and developing their knowledge on these conditions. (See table 4).

Conclusion The fitness professionals that participated in the study demonstrated knowledge of the more commonly known autoimmune conditions and programmes for clients in these areas and those they had little knowledge in. To date there is a lack of detailed sources easily available to exercise professionals to aid them in programme setting for their clients with autoimmune conditions. Current sources of information were thought to be confusing or potentially unreliable or inaccurate. The findings demonstrate that fitness professionals may have limited awareness of the lesser known autoimmune conditions. The study has also identified that an electronic (mobile phone, iPad, tablet) database would be useful to exercise professionals to supplement communication with allied healthcare professionals. Online CPD programmes were also recommended.

References Due to the number of references in this article we have put these online. Please go to http://spxj.nl/REPsJournal

ThE AUThORS Kimberley Treweek graduated from University of Derby Buxton with a degree in Physical Activity and Health & Sports Massage and Exercise Therapy and is a gym instructor, Pilates instructor and massage therapist. This research was part of her undergraduate dissertation. Dr Fiona Holland is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Derby. She is a qualified in exercise referral and therapeutic massage and also owns a Nordic walking business in the Peak District.

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