An evaluation of emergency plans and procedures in fitness facilities in Australia: Implications for policy and practice
- Authors: Sekendiz, Betul , Norton, Kevin , Keyzer, Patrick , Dietrich, Joachim , Coyle, Ian , Jones, Veronica , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Conference proceedings
- Full Text:
- Description: In 2007-08, fitness facilities contributed $872.9 million to the Australian economy and provided savings in direct health care costs estimated up to $107.9 million through their positive impact on physical inactivity and associated diseases (1). In 2011-12, more than 4.3 million Australians participated in sport and physical recreation at indoor sports or fitness facilities (2). However, research across Queensland (3) and in Victoria (4) showed low compliance with emergency plans and safety practices in fitness facilities. The aim of this study was to analyse emergency plans and procedures in fitness facilities in Australia. A nationwide online risk management survey of fitness professionals (n=1178, mean age=39.9), and observational audits at randomly selected regional and metropolitan fitness facilities (n=11) in New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Queensland were conducted. The findings indicated that most of the fitness professionals (68.1%) rated the emergency evacuation plans and other emergency procedures in their facilities as extremely/very good (n=640). Yet, more than one fourth (27.4%) of fitness professionals were somewhat aware (n=152), or very unaware/not at all aware (n=49) of the emergency evacuation plans and other emergency procedures in their facilities. The observational audits showed that most of the fitness facilities did not clearly display their emergency response plans (73%, n=8), emergency evacuation procedures (55%, n=6) or emergency telephone numbers (91%, n=10). Many fitness facilities (36.4%, n=4) did not have an appropriate first aid kit accessible by all staff. Our study shows a lack of emergency preparedness in many fitness facilities in Australia. Emergency response capability is crucial for fitness facility managers to satisfy their duty of care to manage risks of medical emergencies and disasters such as fire, explosion, and floods. Our study has implications for policy development and education of fitness facility managers to improve emergency plans and procedures in fitness facilities in Australia.
Legal risk management and injury in the fitness industry: the outcomes of focus group research and a national survey of fitness professionals
- Authors: Keyzer, Patrick , Coyle, Ian , Dietrich, Joachim , Norton, Kevin , Sekendiz, Betul , Jones, Veronica , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Law and Medicine Vol. 21, no. 4 (June 2014 2014), p. 826-844
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Australian Fitness Industry Risk Management (AFIRM) Project was set up to explore the operation of rules and regulations for the delivery of safe fitness services. This article summarises the results of recent focus group research and a national survey of risk management practices by the AFIRM Project. Our focus group research in four States identified the following most important concerns: (1) the competency of fitness professionals; (2) the effectiveness of pre-exercise screening and the management of de-conditioned clients; (3) poor supervision of fitness service users and incorrect use of equipment; (4) fitness trainers failing to remain within their scope of practice; (5) equipment misuse (as distinct from incorrect use); and (6) poor fitness training environments. This information was then used to develop 45 specific items for a questionnaire that was disseminated throughout the fitness industry. The survey, which is the largest ever conducted in the Australian fitness industry (n = 1,178), identified similar concerns. Our research indicates that efforts to improve risk management in the fitness industry should focus, first and foremost, on the development and monitoring of safety policy, and improvements in the education and training of fitness instructors to ensure that they can incorporate risk management practices.
- Description: C1
Train the trainers: Maintaining standards to minimise injuries and avoiding legal liability in the fitness industry
- Authors: Dietrich, Joachim , Keyzer, Patrick , Jones, Veronica , Norton, Kevin , Sekendiz, Betul , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: ANZ Sports Law Journal, Volume 18, Supplement 1, Page e3
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Accepted 10/11/2014
Awareness and use of the 11+ injury prevention program among coaches of adolescent female football teams
- Authors: Donaldson, Alex , Callaghan, Aisling , Bizzini, Mario , Jowett, Andrew , Keyzer, Patrick , Nicholson, Matthew
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching Vol. 13, no. 6 (2018), p. 929-938
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Coaches are essential to participant safety, particularly by implementing injury prevention programs. The evidence-based injury prevention programs developed by sports scientists will not prevent injuries in real-world sports settings if they are not properly implemented. This study investigated the knowledge and use of the highly efficacious 11+ injury prevention program among coaches of adolescent, female football teams, in Victoria, Australia. A cross-sectional online survey based on the RE-AIM framework identified that nearly half (42%) of the 64 respondents (response rate = 36%) were not aware of the 11+, and only one-third (31%) reported using it. Three-quarters (74%) of the 19 respondents who reported on the 11+ components they used, did not use the entire program. Nearly half (44%) of the 18 respondents who reported the frequency with which they used the 11+, used it less than the recommended twice a week. Barriers to implementing the 11+ included: limited awareness of the 11+; lack of knowledge about how to implement it; not having time to implement it; and believing that the 11+ does not incorporate appropriate progression. This study suggests that it is unlikely that the 11+ prevents a significant number of injuries in real-world football settings due to the lack of awareness and use among coaches. Football-governing bodies should use evidence-based strategies to raise awareness of the 11+, build coach competency to implement it, and address time-related implementation barriers that coaches experience. Coaches should keep up-to-date with injury prevention research evidence and prioritize injury prevention at training, including allocating time to implement injury prevention programs properly.
Emergency preparedness in fitness facilities : Bridging the gap between policy and practice
- Authors: Sekendiz, Betul , Norton, Kevin , Keyzer, Patrick , Dietrich, Joachim , Coyle, Ian , Gray, Shannon , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Business Continuity and Risk Management Vol. 8, no. 1 (2018), p. 71-85
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Fitness facilities are an important contributor to economies through preventative health policies of governments. Therefore, it is crucial that they are capable of ensuring the health and safety of their users during emergency situations under relevant work health and safety (WHS) legislation. This study aimed to analyse emergency response preparedness in fitness facilities in Australia and develop evidence-based strategic recommendations, using a mixed methods approach. An onsite observational audit tool and in-depth interviews were conducted at a sample of regional and metropolitan fitness facilities. The results showed that fitness facilities showed a lack of operational emergency response practices that requires an integrated approach to risk management by fitness facility operators. This gap between policy and practice has significant implications for all stakeholders involved in fitness service provision, including government agencies, academia and industry governing organisations.