Policies and Guidelines
In line with health and medical records, the APSS results should be kept on file for 7 years. The length of time that client APSS results remain “current” greatly depends on the results. If the client is considered low-moderate risk (i.e. does not tick YES to any of the Stage 1 questions), then it would be advisable to aim for a periodic review (e.g. annually) to ensure that nothing has changed. It is important to also remind clients that if any health conditions change at any time, their centre or trainer needs to be kept informed so that they can adjust prescribed exercise or refer accordingly (this should be included in a risk warning or disclaimer).
No. Organisations cannot brand the tool and infer that it is part of their intellectual property as this is in breach of copyright law.
Options available include:
Use a cover sheet with your branding that introduces and refers to the attached APSS.
Re-produce the content in its entirety and make reference to the copyright owners (Exercise and Sports Science Australia, Fitness Australia, Exercise is Medicine and Sports Medicine Australia 2019).
Using the national standard that has been endorsed by the national fitness, exercise and sports medicine peak bodies will deliver enhanced credibility and confidence to your clients.
For issues such as risk management and safety, demonstrating that you meet evidence-based national standards that re supported by industry authorities will make more of an impact than promoting your own logo in isolation.
AUSactive registered professionals should ensure that the group participant number allows for appropriate supervision and safe instruction for each individual during the group session.
Variables that may influence this professional judgement are:
• The setting and space – dimensions and size of the area available and the environment in which the class is delivered (i.e. indoor/outdoor, quality of facilities, ability to see and hear participants)
• The suitability for all participants to undertake the activities considering the varied risk profiles, health status, exercise histories and abilities
• Complexity of the activities and equipment selection
• Whether all activities/stations can be safely used and supervised simultaneously
• Whether activities can be modified and the group dynamic managed adequately for the number and range of participants
• The AUSactive professionals skill and experience
Remember that if a client is injured in your class or your facility, the above issues will be explored to determine whether duty of care has been carried out.
Pre-exercise screening enables exercise professionals to gather information about the state of health or disease of a person, to help reduce the possibility of a problem occurring during exercise. There are no guarantees that an adverse event might or might not occur. However, this prior knowledge will assist in appropriate exercise prescription and can significantly reduce the probability of serious injury or life-threatening incidents.
The Adult Pre-Exercise Screening System (APSS) is the evidence-based Australian standard for conducting pre-exercise screening.
In a rehabilitation situation, a treating Physiotherapist is an appropriate allied health professional to be overseeing the exercise program. If a client attends without a Physiotherapist, having them complete stage 1 of the APSS and provide written confirmation from their treating Physiotherapist to guide exercise prescription is required. In this case it may also be appropriate for the Exercise Professional to phone the Physiotherapist to gain verbal advice about the client’s conditions as well (and to document this).
Clients with a disability should be treated in the same way as able-bodied clients and in both cases, pre-exercise screening is imperative to identify any health risks that require further direction and to guide exercise prescription. In any case, referral to a health professional is not about denying access but rather about seeking guidance prior to developing an appropriate exercise program.
ABS statistics demonstrate that approximately one in five Australians or 4 million people have a disability (such as mobility, vision, hearing and learning disabilities) and disability rates increase with age. Therefore, failing to incorporate disability and seniors facilities and services into your business strategy will place your business at a disadvantage. In addition, businesses have a legal obligation to provide equality of experience for all. Remember that staff training (not just of fitness staff but front desk and customer service staff as well) is an essential component of delivering an inclusive service and ensuring that appropriate practices are delivered when dealing with disabled clients.
Our policies and guidelines are designed to give direction and support to health and fitness professionals and business owners.
We want nationally recognised health and fitness industry standards and best practice in the Australian health and fitness industry to be met.
Our policies and guidelines can be found here.
The Code of Ethics is intended to act as a clear guide to all AUSactiveprofessionals in their professional practice and those registered by AUSactive will be held accountable to the Code.
The Register of Exercise and Health Professionals requires its members and their practice to discharge their duties and responsibilities at all times in a manner which professionally, ethically, legally and morally compromises no individual with whom they have professional contact.
The Code of Ethics does not replace the principles and procedures adopted by employing bodies, relevant legislation nor do they deny other rights within society not specifically mentioned.
Refer to fitness.org.au/code-of-ethics
If you are training clients that are aged 50+ years of age, consider the following:
The core units within Certificate III in Fitness will qualify you to work with healthy adults over the age of 50 (i.e. a participant in a group exercise class or client who requests a fitness program).
If you are working with adults over the age of 50 that have managed conditions (as identified through pre-exercise screening) or if you are providing specific services that target older adults (programs, classes or personal training services), you need to have completed the elective unit (or equivalent): SISFFIT015 Collaborate with medical and allied health professionals in a fitness context.
Within the Fitness Australia exercise professional registration system, this would mean that you are registered as a Gym Instructor, Group Exercise Instructor or Personal Trainer and also have the Older Adults delivery knowledge and skill listed on your public registration profile.
Remember that when assessing risk using the Adult Pre-Exercise Screening System, age related risk is higher for ≥ 45yrs Males or ≥ 55yrs Females. Refer to the Adult Pre-Exercise Screening tool
If you are training clients that are under 18 years of age, consider the following:
To plan and deliver fitness services to children and young people, AusREPs must be appropriately qualified and should continually update their related knowledge and skills. The following minimum education is required:
1. Certificate lll in Fitness
2. Completion of the relevant units of competency (or equivalent):
SISFFIT012 Instruct movement programs to children aged 5 to 12 years;
SISFFIT013 Instruct exercise to young people aged 13 to 17 years.
Within the Fitness Australia exercise professional registration system, this would mean that they are registered as a Gym Instructor, Group Exercise Instructor or Personal Trainer and also have the Children – Young Children &/or Adolescents delivery knowledge and skill listed on their public registration profile.
It should be noted that the AUSActive Professionals Scope of Practice allows for the provision of independent advice and/or exercise programs for children and young people who are free of health conditions or injury.
National guidelines for delivery of children’s health and fitness services can be found here:
