The Public's Demand
for Higher Standards
Donald W.
Rodd, PhD
Department
of Human Kinetics and Sport Studies
University
of Evansville
Evansville,
IN 47722
AS A RESULT of
the death of Anne Capati, a 37-year old woman who suffered a stroke allegedly,
as a result of recommendations of her personal trainer, the fitness and exercise
world has been sent into turmoil and damage control. Allegedly Ms. Capati
was instructed by her personal trainer, via written and oral instructions,
to consume ephedra based products for weight loss even though she was taking
prescription medication for hypertension (1, 2, 3). The trainer involved in
this incident did not have any formal educational training in the fields of
exercise, health, nutrition or fitness nor did he have any credentials acknowledging
him as a trained fitness professional. As a result of Ms. Capati’s death,
the fitness industry and the public are demanding higher standards for fitness
personnel particularly personal trainers.
According to an
article published at clubsafety.com
(3), as a result of a $320 million dollar lawsuit filed by the Capati family,
the standards of fitness facilities and credentialing of fitness personnel
will probably be scrutinized. Among the issues that may be examined include
whether personal trainers should be held to a higher standard than other
exercise professionals and the need for government licensure for personal
trainers.
An article in
the AAALF Active Voice (4) indicates there are over 300 trainer-certifying
organizations in the United States including (in the order presented in the
article) ACE, ACSM, NSCA and AAFA with little consistency in the certification
criteria. To remedy this situation, the International Health, Racquet and
Sportsclub Association is developing fitness certification guidelines including
educational guidelines for more consistent curriculum. According to AAALF:
“Historically,
there has been a disconnect between content taught in exercise science curriculum
leading to a baccalaureate degree and requirements of certification or skill
sets needed in the industry.”
Therefore, AAALF and NASPE are
working together to persuade the certifying agencies to develop a common
curriculum to teach competencies needed in the fitness industry. In addition,
AAHPERD has included a session entitled Exploring Certifications and College
Degree Structure for Fitness in its national meeting with discussion forums
featuring the following issues:
- What is the future for the
fitness/exercise profession?
- How can we better prepare
undergraduates for professional fitness careers?
- Is there a role for higher
education in preparing professionals?
- What should the degree programs
be called?
The death of Ms. Capati is a tragedy,
and this event is even more tragic if the personal trainer implicated is found
culpable for her death based on dangerous health and fitness recommendations.
While reading about this terrible tragedy several things came to mind regarding
ASEP and its position regarding academic background and credentials for professionals.
In regard to licensure,
ASEP has been advocating and is moving toward licensure for exercise physiologist
at the state level. Is it possible that personal trainers without a baccalaureate
degree will be licensed professionals before academically trained exercise
physiologists? In regard to standards, should personal trainers be held to
a higher standard than other exercise professionals? Re-phrasing this question,
should personal trainers be held to a higher standard than a Cardiac Rehabilitation
Exercise Specialist? Will personal trainers take over Cardiac Rehab?
In regard to curriculum,
in its position statements, ASEP has indicated the importance of a common
comprehensive curriculum to teach competencies to future exercise professionals.
The academic requirement connects curriculum with the competencies needed
for certification and competent practice. ASEP’s position is exactly opposite
the situation reported by AAALF.
In regard to professional
credentials, in its position statements, ASEP requires all exercise physiologists
have an academic degree in exercise physiology and become certified to practice
exercise physiology. It seems that organizations are now scrambling to develop
the type of professional requirements that are already in place through ASEP.
However, ASEP is typically not mentioned in any of the articles regarding
professional certification, licensure or common curriculum.
While I am not
advocating certifications for personal trainers through ASEP, I am suggesting
that organizations look to ASEP as a model for professionalism. Hire an ASEP
Certified Exercise Physiologist as a supervisor and if needed, personal trainers
certified through an organization that meets predetermined standardized criteria.
Why not use ASEP as the body to examine certification organizations?
The death of Ms.
Capati is a terrible tragedy, but this incident has unmasked the lack of
standardization and professionalism in the exercise and fitness world. While
not a perfect organization, ASEP has recognized that problems exist in the
exercise world and has begun the process to correct some of them particularly
in the area of curriculum and credentialing. As agencies and organizations
begin to assess the standards for exercise professionals, I hope they do
not overlook the work of ASEP and the great strides it has made in standardization
and professionalism in the field of exercise physiology.
References
1. Bowes,
P. (November, 2002). Personal Trainers Under the Spotlight. BBC News World
Edition. [Online]. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/health/2493089.stm
2. CBS
News. com. (September, 2002). Lawsuit Exposes Health Club Secrets. [Online].
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/09/23/eveningnews/main52299.shtml
3. Herbert,
D.L. Health Club Sued for $320 million. Clubsafety.com.
4. Who Trained the Trainer? (Winter, 2003). The AAALF Active Voice.
8:2.