Fitness instructors: How does their knowledge on weight loss measure up?

Abstract

Objective To examine the knowledge, approaches and attitudes of fitness instructors dealing with clients seeking weight loss advice. Design A qualitative project whereby semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten fitness instructors representing a range of qualifications, work settings and years of experience. Setting Interviews were conducted at neutral sites identified by participants. Methods Interviews explored participants' knowledge on weight related issues including the etiology and consequences of obesity, the exercise strategies used for weight loss, and also professional development issues. All interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using an inductive process where ideas of a similar nature were categorised into 'raw themes'. Two researchers independently analysed transcripts to establish trustworthiness.Results Findings revealed that inconsistencies appeared to exist with participants' development and delivery of a weight management programme. In some cases fitness instructors were not adequately prepared for dealing with overweight and obese clients. Conclusion The findings provide further argument for the need for a system of accreditation of fitness instructors within New Zealand (NZ) that provides the public with some measure of quality assurance.

Knowledge translation to fitness trainers: A systematic review

“…Of concern is that those using the internet were also described as having difficulty discerning the credibility and quality of information sources [20]. The implication of educational level as a factor influencing choice of information sources is difficult to determine, given that there are little data on the educational qualifications of fitness trainers working with the public.…”

Sources of practice knowledge among Australian fitness trainers

“…For individual items, the ICC value and its 95% confidence interval (CI) are reported. An ICC value of 0.2-0.4 suggests poor agreement, 0.5-0.6 suggests moderate agreement, 0.7-0.8 suggests strong agreement and >0.8 suggests almost perfect agreement [19].…”

“…high-quality vs. low-quality). An additional strength was the examination of the test-retest reliability survey of the sources of practice knowledge items, which showed acceptable reliability [19].…”

Exercise Instructors for Older Adult Fitness: A Review of the Literature

“…The literature reviewed underscored the importance of having a competent exercise instructor, as older exercisers attributed great value to having an instructor who was knowledgeable about exercise, as well as about gerontology. Herein, exercise participants acknowledged the instructor's role as competent practitioner, recognizing that certification was vital toward the assurance of technical proficiency, thus ensuring some degree of safe practice (Beaudreau, 2006;Brehm, 2004;Forsyth, Handcock, Rose, & Jenkins, 2005;Mehra et al 2016;Olsen, Telenius, Engedal, & Bergland, 2015;Taylor & Pescatello, 2016;Vseteckova et al, 2018). Moreover, Oldridge (1977) argued that instructors should teach safety techniques to exercisers in order to increase exerciser self-efficacy and further reduce the likelihood of injury.…”

“…In fact, Hawley, Skelton, Campbell, and Todd (2012) found that training was positively correlated with a favorable attitude toward older adults, and that certification, work experience, and work setting all influenced instructor attitude and perception of older adulthood. However, certification and/or gerontological competencies are not always required for employment in Canada (Forsyth et al, 2005;Kluge & Savis, 2001;Taylor & Johnson, 2008) despite the assertion that exercise instructor training for working with older adults requires more competence than training for working with younger adults (Ecclestone & Jones, 2004). Therefore, the role of competent instructor, which includes gerontological competence for older adult fitness, is not widely assured under current practices in Canada.…”