Legal risk management and injury in the fitness industry: the outcomes of focus group research and a national survey of fitness professionals
Article
Article Title | Legal risk management and injury in the fitness industry: the outcomes of focus group research and a national survey of fitness professionals |
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ERA Journal ID | 33514 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Keyzer, Patrick (Author), Coyle, Ian R. (Author), Dietrich, Joachim (Author), Norton, Kevin (Author), Sekendiz, Betul (Author), Jones, Veronica (Author) and Finch, Caroline F. (Author) |
Journal Title | Journal of Law and Medicine |
Journal Citation | 21 (4), pp. 826-844 |
Number of Pages | 19 |
Year | 2014 |
Publisher | Lawbook Co. |
Place of Publication | Sydney, Australia |
ISSN | 1320-159X |
Web Address (URL) | http://sites.thomsonreuters.com.au/journals/category/journals/journal-of-law-and-medicine/ |
Abstract | 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. |
Keywords | fitness industry; Australia; Australian; questionnaire |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 350405. Sport and leisure management |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | La Trobe University |
Department of Psychology | |
Bond University | |
University of South Australia | |
Central Queensland University | |
Federation University | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q2z17/legal-risk-management-and-injury-in-the-fitness-industry-the-outcomes-of-focus-group-research-and-a-national-survey-of-fitness-professionals
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