Description

Senior fitness certification from Gatlin International offers fitness professionals the training they need to take their careers to the next level as Senior Fitness Specialists. The Personal Training and Group Exercise Training for Older Adults course from Gatlin International is a comprehensive, web-based certification programme that offers an optional field internship course and is designed to establish a standard for the development of safe and effective exercise programs for seniors by personal fitness trainers, medical and fitness professionals, and the general public. The Senior Fitness Certification programme is designed to incorporate state of the art curriculum standards from the “International Curriculum Guidelines for Preparing Physical Activity Instructors of Older Adults” in collaboration with and endorsed by the World Health Organization. The Senior Fitness Certification programme provides the essential educational pathways and career opportunities to allow students to begin a career working with senior adults in the capacity of Senior Fitness Specialist in the health and fitness industry. Our Senior Fitness Certification programme is ideal for established fitness professionals who desire advanced education in working with senior adults and for allied health and medical professionals seeking to design and implement specialized exercise and wellness programs for senior adults. Students who graduate from our Senior Fitness Certification course will be prepared for a career as a Senior Fitness Specialist working at senior centers, medically-based fitness facilities, retirement communities, YMCA/JCC’s, community health and wellness programmes, hospitals, personal fitness training studios, long-term care facilities, physical therapy clinics, corporate wellness facilities, colleges and universities and commercial health clubs. In addition, the Senior Fitness Certificate prepares individuals in the development of a personalized fitness program based on current research and organizational guidelines.

This Senior Fitness Certification programme includes:
? Examination of the social and physiological aspects of aging.
? Review current theories of aging.
? Learn the common conditions and diseases associated with aging.
? Understand the role of exercise in improving health, fitness, function and quality of life in older adults.
? Review the current recommendations for cardiovascular, flexibility, resistance, mobility and balance training.
? Learn how to attract, serve and retain the mature market by means of age-friendly facility design, equipment selection, and fitness management.
? Understand how to design safe and effective exercise programs for older adults by taking into consideration critical information such as a client’s age, gender, health history, current health conditions and exercise history.
? Optional Field Internship Course: Students that enter the program may complete an optional internship course that is 6 weeks/60 hours in length.
? On-going guidance, instruction, and interaction from instructors that hold either a Master’s or Ph.D. degree in exercise science, biomechanics, exercise physiology, kinesiology, physical therapy, nutrition or an exercise science-related degree.
? The program is offered in partnership with the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), the American Senior Fitness Association (SFA), the Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA), and Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program. Students graduating from the certificate program will receive a complimentary one-year membership to the ICAA which includes registration discounts to the annual International Active Aging Conference. In addition, graduating students will receive preferred discounts for the SFA’s certification exams (Senior Personal Trainer Certification or the Senior Fitness Instructor Certification), the AEA’s certification exam (Aquatic Exercise Association Fitness Professional Certification), and for Healthways Instructor Accreditation for Older Adult Exercise.

Course Objectives

By completing the Personal Training and Group Exercise Training for Older Adults program, students will:

? Identify and define predictors of successful aging and demographic characteristics that relate to individual participation in physical activity programs
? Identify factors influencing physical activity participation among older adults, including barriers, motivators, regular involvement in physical activity, and behavior modification
? Understand how to design exercise programs for preventive health
? Understand how spending power, the anti-aging movement, the focus on preventative health and other factors have converged to make the 50+ market extremely desirable for the fitness industry
? Understand how to conduct an in-depth health history interview that yields important information in the development of a safe and effective exercise program
? Identify signs and symptoms associated with medication-related negative interactions during physical activity and refer back to health professional
? Explore the profession as a potential career choice with the optional field internship experience
? Prepare to work as a fitness trainer or facility manager/owner in the older adult market

Outline

The following course outline highlights the major topics and subjects covered in the Senior Fitness Certification course from Gatlin International.

I. Socio-Physiological Aspects of Aging
a. Understand the Psychosocial Aspects of Aging
b. Understand the Musculoskeletal, Cardiovascular, and Metabolic Changes that accompany Aging
c. Identify Nervous System, Cognitive and Sensory Changes that accompany Aging
d. Understand the association between Aging, Activity, and Disease

II. Designing Older Adult Exercise Programs
a. Learn the Exercise Recommendations and Guidelines for Apparently Healthy Older Adults and those with Chronic Diseases and Conditions
b. Understand the Principles of Cardiovascular, Resistance Exercise and Flexibility
c. Understand the Principles of Functional Exercise, Balance, Mobility, and Water Training
d. Learn how to Design Exercise Programs for Apparently Healthy Older Adults

III. Business Management and Administration for the Mature Market
a. Understand the Business Opportunity in the Mature Market
b. Understand Marketing and Customer Service Principles
c. Examine how a Business Develops through member programs and services
d. Learn how to Administer and Manage Age-Friendly Fitness Facilities or Health/Wellness Centers

IV. Exercise and Aging for Special Populations
a. Understand the importance of Screening, Health Assessments, and Fitness Testing
b. Understand the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Chronic Disease Considerations for Exercise Program Design
c. Understand the Musculoskeletal and Neurological Chronic Disease Considerations for Exercise Program Design
d. Examine the Common Medications for Chronic Disease Conditions

V. Elective Course: Optional Field Internship in Senior Personal Training
a. Intern for a total of 6 weeks/60 hours with professionals in the fitness and health industry for a practical experience working with members at fitness facilities and health centers
b. Network and interact with professionals in the health and fitness industry
c. Develop a professional goal statement and review career opportunities
d. Improve your ability to obtain employment and/or operate your own health and fitness facility

Demo

Click here to view a demo of this course. The User ID and Password are provided below:

User ID: demosenior
Password: senior

Additional Info

Languages

English

Course Length

260.00 hours

Duration of Access

6 months

Instructor

Cody Sipe, Ph.D., ACSM-Exercise Specialist, RCEP

Prerequisites/Audience

There are no specific prerequisites to enter the Senior Fitness Certification programme other than an Internet connection, an email address, and basic computer knowledge. Students do need to receive CPR certification and approval by the Program Coordinator prior to beginning the Optional Field Internship Elective Course.

The Personal Training and Group Exercise Training for Older Adults program is designed to supply essential educational pathways and career opportunities for:
? Current allied health/medical and fitness professionals and personal trainers interested in developing safe and effective exercise programs for older adults
? Current fitness managers and directors wishing to manage and market new programs to older adults
? Education directors of multi-site facilities or chains training fitness professionals to work with older adults
? Companies that require the certificate program as a professional development program for employees to achieve key business goals, career objectives, and skills to advance beyond entry-level positions
? Individual senior and older exercise enthusiasts interested in seeking to stay current in exercise program design, health, and wellness.

Requirements/Materials Included

Students pursuing certification as a Senior Fitness Specialist may take this course from either a Mac or a PC. Technical requirements include but are not limited to having Internet access with a 56K modem, but it is highly recommended that you have DSL or High Speed Cable Internet Access; 64 MB system RAM; 200 MB free hard disk space memory or sufficient storage; reliable email account access, CD-ROM/DVD capabilities, and a reliable Internet provider. Some individual courses may have additional software and/or hardware requirements.

These materials will be provided by Gatlin Education Services:
? Physical Activity Instruction of Older Adults
? Anatomy for Strength and Fitness Training: An Illustrated Guide to Your Muscles in Action