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interview


elsewhere. It identifi es the skills, knowledge and competencies required of any professional in each of those 22 different occupations – ranging from fi tness instructor to GM to clinical exercise professional – and at the eight different levels established in the European Qualifi cations Framework (EQF), from the existing Levels 1–4 right up to future Levels 5–8. The idea is that the framework will be


acknowledged across Europe, allowing exercise professionals’ qualifi cations and skillsets to be automatically recognised in all countries. Alongside this, says Jiménez, is a


need to reassess the way training is delivered. “The focus for training providers tends to be focused mainly on the economic benefi ts, which leads to confl icting agendas. As a result, the training being delivered isn’t always what the operators need. “The SPELG initiative in the UK (see


HCM NovDec 11, p40) is fantastic and could be mirrored across Europe. In 2012, we’re also going to create a working group with higher education to create a more fi t-for-purpose BSc- level degree; at the moment, higher education isn’t delivering suitable qualifi cations for the industry. “Overall we want total transparency, and we’re working to achieve effective standards for qualifi cations in which all stakeholders – not just the training providers – dictate what education is needed. We’re also aiming to change the way training providers are accredited, with a new set of standards. The


application process will be online, in six


“THE INDUSTRY HAS BEEN MUCH TOO PATERNALISTIC SO FAR – WE TELL PEOPLE WHAT TO DO BUT DON’T TELL THEM WHY”


different languages, and will be much cheaper than the current process – it’s about improving education across Europe, not about money. “In addition, we’re looking for ways


– through the EHFA Lifelong Learning Programme – to be able to recognise non-formal as well as formal learning. If someone volunteers in a community scheme, for example, and they gain new skills in doing so, then we should acknowledge that.”


need for evidence The recurring message from Jiménez, however, is the vital importance of providing evidence to gain recognition from partners and government – and, he says, “the fitness industry just isn’t doing this at the moment”. This is, however, starting to be addressed by the FIA Research Institute, which aims to build a body of evidence for the industry’s product: structured exercise. A 12-week dose-response pilot


study is being carried out with Impulse Leisure (see HCM Aug 11, p24) – and “it’s already looking as though our


hypothesis will be proved correct, with the structured exercise group getting the best results,” says Jiménez. The institute is also undertaking a thorough review of existing studies, looking at the value of exercise as opposed to physical


activity and breaking down the evidence by type of exercise. The result will be fi ve major review papers and a research database, available to FIA members, with a comprehensive narrative. “We want to be able to provide


evidence that exercise as delivered in gyms is better than other forms of activity,” says Jiménez, who is ensuring vigorous standards are applied throughout. Indeed, the Impulse pilot project is based on measurement across more than 25 markers to ensure the evidence gathered is scientifi cally robust. Initial pilot results will be published in March, with a multi-site study – to last six months to a year – starting in 2012 to further cement the evidence. “But we need many more such studies


to prove the role we can play in the health agenda,” says Jiménez. Fingers are therefore crossed that a recent submission to the EU to conduct a 3m, three-year research study through the EU Seventh Framework Programme will prove successful. If so, the project – led by Greenwich University and supported by fi ve other academic institutions across Europe – will take “a 360-degree approach to investigating the impact of structured exercise, delivered at health clubs, on healthy ageing among adults over the age of 65 years”. Jiménez continues: “The aim will be


to prove that we can deliver two more years of healthy, active life, meaning less of a drain on public health funds. We’ll turn gyms into community hubs and we’ll look at implementation, physical and mental benefi ts, and cost- effectiveness. We can then take this data to governments to make the case for the fi tness industry.” There’s also a need for more evidence


in the area of behavioural change which, says Jiménez, is currently lagging behind the level of physiological evidence available. This is also on the radar of both EHFA and the FIA Research Institute.


Providing gym members with more evidence about exercise benefi ts should help motivate them


38 Read Health Club Management online at healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital january 2012 © cybertrek 2012


PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/ROBERT KNESCHKE


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