State licensing of fitness leaders in Colorado health clubs
Date
1981
Authors
Legel, John Patrick, author
Morton, Max L., advisor
Lantry, Terry L., committee member
Johnson, M. L., committee member
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to formulate a legal proposal for licensing of fitness leaders in Colorado health clubs. The subproblems were: 1) to identify present qualifications and educational backgrounds of currently employed fitness supervisors and leaders in the Colorado health club industry, 2) to determine the trend of the law in cases of personal injury resulting from negligence of a health club employee, and 3) to determine the need for a state licensing procedure for fitness leaders in Colorado health clubs. A survey questionnaire was developed and mailed to the managers of the 220 health clubs listed in the 1981 Colorado telephone directory. Percentages and frequency tabulations were used to analyze the results. One hundred nineteen questionnaires were returned, 115 of which contained data suitable for analysis. From the analysis the following conclusions were drawn. 1) The educational background of Colorado health club employees with respect to health and fitness related certifications is low. 2) The educational background of Colorado health club employees with respect to courses taken in one of the nine related areas is low. 3) Only 59 percent of health clubs have a full time employee trained in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation 4) Only 51 percent of health clubs have a full time employee trained in Advanced First Aid. 5) Fitness leaders receive the major portion of their related education at the university level, with high schools, junior colleges, and health clubs contributing in a minor way. 6) The rapid expansion of knowledge in the exercise field is not being adequately extended to the patrons of health clubs, because about half of the health clubs do not have an employee who has taken related coursework within the last four years. 7) There are no generally accepted standards as to what constitutes a minimum level of knowledge for a fitness leader in the Colorado health club industry. 8) A licensing procedure would be in the self interest of the health club industry. Health club owners could show that they took reasonable care in providing their patrons with knowledgeable personnel, by employing licensed fitness leaders and may thereby reduce their potential liability. Considering the trend of the courts to view liability waivers unfavorably, this becomes important. 9) The conclusions support the need for a state licensing procedure to set a minimum standard of knowledge for fitness leaders, to insure that current and reliable information is being given to the public. From these conclusions the following recommendations are suggested. 1) The minimum standards should be based on the current state of the art as determined by leading authorities in the exercise field. 2) A practical way to achieve these standards would be to initiate a state licensing program that would test and license fitness leaders. 3) Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation should be required. 4) Advanced First Aid should be required. 5) Applicants for a license should be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the following topics. a) Exercise Physiology b) Exercise Program Design c) Human Anatomy and Kinesiology d) Diet and Nutrition e) Psychology of Motor Behavior, Sport and Exercise f) Health Evaluation Methods g) Activity Related Injury h) Muscular Training 6) Licenses should be renewed every four years.
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Subject
Health facilities -- Law and legislation -- Colorado