- Title
- Assessment and monitoring practices of Australian fitness professionals
- Creator
- Bennie, Jason; Wiesner, Glen; van Uffelen, Jannique; Harvey, Jack; Craike, Melinda; Biddle, Stuart
- Date
- 2018
- Type
- Text; Journal article
- Identifier
- http://researchonline.federation.edu.au/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/164198
- Identifier
- vital:12992
- Identifier
-
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2017.07.010
- Identifier
- ISBN:1440-2440
- Abstract
- Objectives: Assessment and monitoring of client health and fitness is a key part of fitness professionals’ practices. However, little is known about prevalence of this practice. This study describes the assessment/monitoring practices of a large sample of Australian fitness professionals. Design: Cross-sectional. Methods: In 2014, 1206 fitness professionals completed an online survey. Respondents reported their frequency (4 point-scale: [1] ‘never’ to [4] ‘always’) of assessment/monitoring of eight health and fitness constructs (e.g. body composition, aerobic fitness). This was classified as: (i) ‘high’ (‘always’ assessing/monitoring ≥5 constructs); (ii) ‘medium’ (1–4 constructs); (iii) ‘low’ (0 constructs). Classifications are reported by demographic and fitness industry characteristics. The odds of being classified as a ‘high assessor/monitor’ according to social ecological correlates were examined using a multiple-factor logistic regression model. Results: Mean age of respondents was 39.3 (±11.6) years and 71.6% were female. A total of 15.8% (95% CI: 13.7%–17.9%) were classified as a ‘high’ assessor/monitor. Constructs with the largest proportion of being ‘always’ assessed were body composition (47.7%; 95% CI: 45.0%–50.1%) and aerobic fitness (42.5%; 95% CI: 39.6%–45.3%). Those with the lowest proportion of being ‘always’ assessed were balance (24.0%; 95% CI: 24.7%–26.5%) and mental health (20.2%; 95% CI: 18.1%–29.6%). A perceived lack of client interest and fitness professionals not considering assessing their responsibility were associated with lower odds of being classified as a ‘high assessor/monitor’. Conclusions: Most fitness professionals do not routinely assess/monitor client fitness and health. Key factors limiting client health assessment and monitoring include a perceived lack of client interest and professionals not considering this their role. © 2017
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Relation
- Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport Vol. 21, no. 4 (2018), p. 433-438
- Rights
- Copyright © 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Sports Medicine Australia.
- Rights
- This metadata is freely available under a CCO license
- Subject
- 1106 Human Movement and Sports Science; 1116 Medical Physiology; 1117 Public Health and Health Services; Aerobic fitness; Neuromotor fitness; Personal trainers; Strength training
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