Assessment and monitoring practices of Australian fitness professionals

Qualified fitness trainers practice scientifically based judgement in prescribing exercise programs

Fitness trainers are widely in demand by both commercial fitness centres and individual people. They serve members in one-to-one personal training (PT) or group training (GX) in commercial fitness centres. However, the services provided by fitness trainers have not been consistent across the industry. This service inconsistency has led to an increased doubt about professionalism in conducting safe and correct exercise for the public. No studies have evaluated how fitness trainers make decisions when they curate exercise programs for members. This research utilized a qualitative semi-structured interview method to collect data from 16 fitness trainers in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Inverview data was verbatim transcribed and analyzed using a theory-driven analysis. The study investigated fitness training professional decision-making processes when they design and precribe fitness execise programming to clients. Using Cognitive Continuum Theory (CCT) as a lens to explore the decision-making processes revealed a dichotomy of decision-making processes for curating personal training and group training. Feedback mechanism in the implementation of personal training was proven to be more personalized than group training. There are four themes in decision-making processed discovered to be impreative characteristics for fitness trainers. The application of CCT allowed further understanding of the implementation of exercise programs for PT and GX training when fitness trainers modified exercise programs.

The relationship between the Wattbike® and Isokinetic findings in cyclists: A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION: Cycling has been the subject of numerous studies. Among these, measuring muscular performance during cycling has attracted much interest. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between Wattbike® and isokinetic findings in a group of cyclists. METHODS: Thirty-seven male cyclists performed a 30-s anaerobic power test on a Wattbike® and then were tested concentrically for knee extensor and flexor strength using isokinetic dynamometry. RESULTS: There was a positive fair-to-moderate correlation between the peak moment, peak power, and total work derived from the Wattbike® and the respective parameters evaluated isokinetically. CONCLUSION: While the findings exclude interchangeability of the two methods, the fact that total work is the most closely associated parameter among the measurements highlights its importance as an outcome measure in muscle performance in cyclists.

Feasibility for the Use of a Standardized Fitness Testing Protocol Among Australian Fitness Industry Professionals

PURPOSE

There is currently no standardized testing protocol for assessing clients' fitness/health within the Australian fitness industry. This study examined the perceptions of the feasibility of using a standardized testing protocol among Australian fitness industry professionals.

METHOD

In 2014, 1,206 registered fitness industry professionals (aged 17-69 years) completed an online survey. Perceived feasibility for using a standardized testing protocol was assessed based on responses to 6 items. Respondents were classified as having a high level of perceived feasibility if they reported all 6 items to be "definitely feasible." A multivariate logistic regression analysis, adjusting for demographic and fitness industry-related factors (e.g., qualification/years of experience), assessed the likelihood of having a high level of perceived feasibility.

RESULTS

Overall, 25.5% (95% CI [23.1%, 28.0%]) of the sample perceived the use of a standardized testing protocol as highly feasible. Items ranked most often as "definitely feasible" were "undertaking training to use the protocol" (55%) and "conducting follow-up testing every 6 to 12 weeks" (52%). After adjustment for the effect of confounding factors, casually employed professionals (OR = 0.63; 95% CI [0.45, 0.90]) and group instructors (OR = 0.58; 95% CI [0.41, 0.82]) were less likely to perceive standardized testing protocols as highly feasible.

CONCLUSIONS

Among a large sample of Australian fitness industry professionals, slightly more than a quarter perceived using a standardized testing protocol to be highly feasible. Group instructors and casual employees perceived lower feasibility. Further research should determine the barriers to implementing a standardized testing protocol across the fitness industry.

Australian fitness professionals' level of interest in engaging with high health-risk population subgroups: findings from a national survey

OBJECTIVES

Fitness industry professionals (personal trainers, group instructors) may have a role in health promotion, particularly when working with subgroups with known health risks (e.g. older adults, obese). The aim of this study is to examine fitness professionals' level of interest in engaging with high-risk populations.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional evaluation of a national survey.

METHODS

In 2014, 9100 Australian registered exercise professionals were invited to complete an online survey. Respondents reported their level of interest in engaging with nine health-risk population subgroups. A multivariable logistic regression analysis assessed the odds of being classified as having a 'low level' of interest in training high health-risk subgroups, adjusting for demographic and fitness industry-related factors.

RESULTS

Of 1185 respondents (aged 17-72 years), 31.1% reported having a 'high level' of interest in training high health-risk subgroups. The highest level of interest was among 'obese clients' and 'adults (18-64 years) with chronic health conditions'. In the adjusted analysis, males (odds ratio [OR], 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-2.25) and those in urban settings (OR, 2.26, 95% CI: 1.54-3.37) were more likely to have a 'low level' of interest.

CONCLUSIONS

Fitness professionals have a modest level of interest in training high health-risk subgroups. In addition to the development of strategies to increase interest, research should examine whether fitness professionals are able to safely prescribe exercise to high health-risk subgroups.