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Fitness
Informed Consent Agreements
Personal trainers or fitness professionals should consider informed consent agreements to protect themselves.EVERYONE HAS FACED surgery or knows someone who has. If you fall into the first group, you may remember that, prior to the surgery, a staff person gave you some papers to sign. College students are often asked to participate in scientific studies as a subject (usually for extra credit or a small monetary payment). Prior to participating in the study, the student is given some papers to sign. In each case, one of those documents is an informed consent agreement.Informed consent is a document used to protect the surgeon or the research scientist from liability for the informed risks of a treatment to which the signer is subjected. Before surgery, the hospital is warning the patient of the risks of the surgery or treatment -- informing the patient of the things that can go wrong. In the case of research scientists, they are warning the subject of the known potential risks of the experimental treatment or program. The thing that makes the informed consent unique is that something is done to the participant by another party with the consent of the participant.Informed consent agreementsThe doctrine of informed consent derives from two principles:Disclosure requires that all known treatment risks be disclosed to the client. It is important that the signer knows, understands and appreciates the nature of those risks. One of the functions of the agreement is to effectively inform the signer of the risks. Note that the objective is informed consent -- don't simply hand the agreement to clients and have them sign it. Go through the agreement with each client and explain the risks. Make sure they understand them.GuidelinesThe informed consent agreement is based in contract law; thus, the signing parties must be of majority age. If the client is a minor, it is critical to have one or both parents sign the agreement. Also, the informed consent is not a waiver of liability. Clients are not waiving their right to sue for negligence. This agreement simply shows that the client is aware of the treatment risks, and voluntarily assumes those risks.
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Fitness
Product Reviews: Cybex V43 Strength & LCX 425T Treadmill
Star Trac Elite CrossTrainer & Pro Stepper; Cybex VR3 Strength & LCX 425T TreadmillSTAR TRAC INVESTED two years of research and development, and had hundreds of user tests, 60 specific product requirements and 35 prototypes before releasing its Elite CrossTrainer, designed in conjunction with BMW Group DesignworksUSA.With traditional ellipticals, the upper-body motion depends on the lower-body motion. The arms of the machine move along with the pedals regardless of the amount of force (or lack thereof) users provide with their upper body. SelectFit makes the Elite the first machine that allows users to vary their upper-body workout throughout the exercise.High-tech users will appreciate the Elite's Pro Partner technology, which allows them to download and monitor their workout with a Palm-powered handheld to track and log workout speed, heart rate, calories burned and distance.wireless data transfer: Pro Partner technology communicates via infrared (IR) beam with Palm OS softwareTHE FIRST things users will notice about Star Trac's Pro Stepper are the ergonomically designed grip bars running the full length of the machine, and the Aero bar wrapping around the top of the display. This unique curve safely accommodates users of various shapes and sizes, and is the result of careful analysis of hand and body positions of stepper users. No longer will users have to contort their backs and shoulders in order to find a comfortable grip. That should save them from back pain and keep them exercising longer -- and actually get results.The oversized Soft Trac pedals with safety rims let even the most vigorous user feel safe and secure at any speed. At the same time, these same features make even deconditioned or post-rehab members comfortable and stable. Another safety and comfort feature is the rear step platform, for a safe, balanced entry to the low 4-inch step-up height.THE VR3 is the latest in the line of resistance-training equipment from Cybex, and it features several biomechanical advances. Most of the pieces use an Easy Seat base, which is an enclosed seat base adjustment design with a gas spring assist. This lets users adjust their seat height without leaving the machine; they can do it with just one hand.Users will also love the greater and more comfortable range of motion of the Dependent Converging (in the Chest and Overhead Press) and Diverging Movement Technology (in the Row). These arcing movements more naturally replicate human motion, stimulate the target muscles more and minimize stress at the joint.The Row combines a floor-level pivot and a clever, unequal-length four-bar linkage that gives users a near linear path of motion as in a cable row, but with variable resistance that closely matches the body's strength throughout the range of motion. The floor level pivot keeps the machine's profile low, and more uniform with the look of the rest of the VR3 line.IF YOUR facility is looking for a treadmill with a large running surface, but you don't have much space, the Cybex LCX 425T fits the bill. This small package boasts a commercial-sized (20 by 60 inches) running surface, while maintaining a compact footprint.The split-level console helps keep the user's accessories at hand, with a magazine rack, two water bottle holders and a CD/MP3 player holder. The handy upper display lets users select or scan between distance, total calories, calories per hour, METs, pace and heart rate, while the lower display provides time, incline and resistance level.
Fitness
Metabolic Syndrome: Exercise Is KEY to Prevention
Help your clients and members prevent metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease with a regular plan of exercise and diet. Fortunately, it is becoming increasingly clear that physical activity does not need to be highly structured or regimented to yield health benefits. Furthermore, the threshold of intensity necessary for the health benefits of exercise is lower than previously thought. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that people should accumulate at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, preferably all, days of the week.Definition* A high fasting glucose at 110mg/dlThe cause for metabolic syndrome has not been definitively established. One hypothesis presumes the primary cause is insulin resistance. Insulin resistance correlates with visceral fat measured by circumference, or waist-to-hip ratio. The link between insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease probably is the result of vascular damage and plaque formation.Treatment strategiesSkeletal muscle is the most insulin-sensitive tissue in the body and, therefore, a primary target for affecting insulin resistance. Physical activity has been shown to reduce skeletal muscle lipid levels and insulin resistance, regardless of BMI. The effect of exercise on insulin sensitivity is evident for 24 to 48 hours, and disappears within three to five days. Thus, regular physical activity should be a part of the lifestyle plan. The goal is to find a level of activity that can be accomplished over the long term. A combination of resistance and aerobic exercise is best, but any activity is better than none. Manipulation of duration and intensity -- starting according to the person's prior level of activity -- will provide a safe and effective program with minimal attrition. Success has been achieved through walking and low-weight resistance activities. Circuit training is of great benefit to these individuals. Studies have shown that walking or light jogging for one hour per day will produce significant losses of abdominal fat in men without caloric restriction.* Increase clients' physical activity.Strength training -- major muscle groups first -- should include light resistance and high reps. Consider selectorized supported equipment first, and have clients follow a similar progression to that of the cardio program. Remember, these individuals may be severely deconditioned.The primary goals of dietary change for metabolic syndrome are to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Evidence from one large and one small clinical trial show that a low-sodium diet helps to maintain lower blood pressure. Results from clinical trials of low-fat diets, in which participants were involved for more than two years, showed significant reductions in the rate of cardiovascular events.The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study demonstrated that consumption of dairy products was associated with a significantly reduced risk of metabolic syndrome.Conclusion
Fitness
Liabilities of Fitness
How to plan for any type of emergency in your facility. When you think about liability, you may think about electrical cords crossing people's paths or first responder training. While these issues are important, you also need to think more broadly. What will you do, for instance, if your facility catches fire? How will you evacuate? How will you ensure everyone is out of the building? What will you do if your city comes under a biological attack? What will you do if members' files are compromised and personal information is stolen and sold? There are a lot of concerns to consider when running a business. Hopefully, most -- if not all -- of things you plan for will never happen. That being said, you do need a well-thought-out plan, and you need to practice it with your staff."If you don't have a plan, then any equipment you have for use in an emergency will be ineffective," says Lisa Marchiani of L&T Health and Fitness (www.ltwell.com), a fitness management company based in Falls Church, Va. Marchiani lists having a well-thought-out plan as the No. 1 most important thing a fitness center can have to improve member and staff safety, and to reduce liability. Marchiani suggests planning for every conceivable outcome -- evacuations, health emergencies, etc. -- and to test those plans at least quarterly, as recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).The second most important thing Marchiani recommends is to have the tools needed for use with these plans. These tools include having an evacuation map posted on all doors, first aid kits and AEDs accessible to staff and, if need be, members. "Signage is crucial," says Marchiani. That communication can make the difference between life and death. Marchiani also suggests putting this necessary information into new member packets and periodically adding them to newsletters. "People assume that you have a plan, or that you have an AED, and are reassured by that," she explains. "But, you should also communicate what you don't have. If your facility does not have an AED, people need to know that in an emergency, the EMTs must be called."Safety resourcesPlan for any emergencyIn the event of an evacuation, plan for not only how your staff will ensure all members are out of the building, but where they will meet -- for instance, in the event of a fire. Perhaps they should meet in a building across the street or in your parking lot. Walk through this plan with your staff time and time again. Reiterate to your members what the plan is so they, too, will have it in their minds. If you aren't sure of the best course of action, call the fire department and ask them to walk through your facility with you and work out a plan together. When you have your final plan in place, communicate it with your local authorities so they will know what to expect from you. The more communication, the better.In the "Get Prepared" section of the Red Cross website, you'll find planning checklists for a variety of emergencies, from blackouts to hurricanes to terrorism. The site also describes what to expect for each type of emergency, from types of damage to local law enforcement and media. An important suggestion is to have local school phone numbers easily accessible so that you can communicate with the schools, and then tell the parents what is happening with their child.It goes without saying that planning for emergencies is crucial to making it through one safely. These resources, as well as your local government, can help. You'll also find insight as to how one fitness center dealt with a disaster in Marty Tutley's account of how he, his staff and his members coped in the aftermath of a devastating fire in his article "Is Your Club Prepared for a Disaster?" in Fitness Management's September 2002 issue [also at www.fitnessmanagement.com in the library of articles' liability section].Another important topic in member safety is identity theft. Businesses everywhere are rethinking the kind of information they collect from their customers, and changing their paperwork and policies to only collect what is absolutely necessary, with a particular emphasis on social security numbers.
Fitness
Learning from Exercise Relapse
Viewing relapse as a learning experience can enhance the effectiveness of exercise program design, and help clients overcome a sense of failure and return anew to the fitness center. Don't take it personallyHelp clients view relapse as a learning experienceIs there any way you can help these clients develop a more positive and realistic attitude toward exercise? You can start by stating your understanding that life can get complicated, and acknowledging that your clients have other commitments in their lives besides their exercise programs. While urging clients to make their health and fitness a priority, admit that this can even be a struggle for you and other clients you work with. If possible, show that you appreciate them as people, even as you remind them of the importance of their resolutions to exercise.You can also talk about success!Coach clients to imagine a return after relapseGiner-Sorolla, R. Guilty pleasures and grim necessities: Affective attitudes in dilemmas of self-control. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 80 (2): 206-221, 2001.Tice, D.M., E. Bratslavsky and R.F. Baumeister. Emotional distress regulation takes precedence over impulse control: If you feel bad, do it! Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 80 (1): 53-67, 2001.
Fitness
Field House at Chelsea Piers; Provena St. Mary's Wellness & Fitness Center; Liberty Fitness
These innovative programming ideas motivate members to exercise using all offered programs and products.K.I.D.S.S. Get Fit in N.Y. Field House at Chelsea Piers, New York, N.Y.TEAM SPORTS AREN'T for all kids, but, without them, there are few activities that keep children moving, instead of sitting in front of the TV and computer. So, as part of a continuing effort to keep New York's kids active and healthy, the Field House at Chelsea Piers launched K.I.D.S.S., or the Kid's Individual-Development Sports Series. K.I.D.S.S. offers classes that are specially designed for children who want challenging individual physical activities and structured skill development.The K.I.D.S.S. classes are designed to be fun, interactive and action-packed (without focusing on traditional team sports) for children ages five to 13, and are held during after-school hours, and on weekends. Examples of class types include Gymjitsu, for ages five to seven, which incorporates the strength and coordination of gymnastics with the speed and concentration of martial arts; Sports Adventure, for ages six to 10, a multi-sport class featuring soccer, gymnastics, rock climbing, basketball and baseball; Fun Fit, for ages five to 13, which uses innovative, kid-friendly exercise equipment to encourage and motivate children while introducing them to fun new ways to stay fit; and Advanced Rock, a program for children ages eight to 12 who have knowledge of climbing or have previously taken a rock climbing class at the facility.Partnership Provides Exercise for Disabled Provena St. Mary's Wellness & Fitness Center, Bourbannais, Ill.According to Wellness Coordinator Kelly Hull, "Groups of six to 15 are able to meet with an instructor two times per week for 45 minutes of fitness instruction. This includes cardiovascular exercise and strength-training exercise." Most of the center's staff have college and higher education degrees, and are certified by various national organizations, making them better able to deal with the population. And, participants are accompanied by a nurse from KCTC who informs the fitness center staff of any changes in medical history, health status or medication. Light System Helps Deaf Get Fit Liberty Fitness, Riverside, Calif.The light device consists of two signs mounted on each side of the Liberty Fitness circuit that direct women through their 30-minute workouts. One sign, lit by a blinking green light, is synchronized with the circuit voice prompt that notifies women to "change positions now." The second sign, with a heart shape lit by a red light, is synchronized with the circuit voice prompt that states, "please stop exercising and get ready for a heart rate count." The sign blinks twice to indicate it's time to check their heart rate, and then glows steady for the heart check's 10-second count.
Programming
Gym Relies on Carefully Developed and Packaged Programs
Monster Gym relies on carefully developed and packaged programs, called Signature Programming.
Fitness
Pre-participation Health and Fitness Assessments
Exercise testing, according to ACSM standards, should be part of all members' initial assessments upon joining your facility. Following is a step-by-step review of the health assessment procedure according to American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) standards, along with how to interpret test results and strategies for more effectively incorporating the health assessment process into your facility.Pre-test instructions and the test environmentWhen possible, testing should be conducted in a quiet, private area to reduce anxiety and improve concentration. Practically speaking, it may be feasible to only complete the questionnaires, and height, weight, resting heart rate, blood pressure and body composition assessments in such a place. The remaining tests, including cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular fitness and flexibility assessments, will most likely occur on the facility floor.Components of the health screening6. FlexibilityThe initial steps in the assessment process are aimed at obtaining a comprehensive understanding of your new member's health and lifestyle. Central to this information is completion of all necessary health/facility forms, and the determination of resting heart rate and blood pressure. Members should complete the forms (e.g., ACSM/AHA Questionnaire or PAR-Q, questions regarding past and existing health conditions and risk factors for cardiovascular disease, informed consent, etc.) that will provide information regarding whether it is safe to test them in your facility prior to scheduling a fitness assessment appointment. If a red flag, such as frequent chest pain, arises in your pre-test evaluation, now is the time to recommend physician intervention.The informed consent should be approved by your legal counsel to determine the appropriate language and consent process for your facility. Forms to evaluate medical history and lifestyle behaviors should also be considered, and can easily be developed.Determination of resting heart rate (RHR) and resting blood pressure (RBP) should, ideally, be conducted after the member has been allowed to sit quietly for five minutes. Practically speaking, members may complete health/fitness assessment forms during that time, if they haven't already. The most common method for determining RHR is the radial palpation technique. While the subject is seated, palpate the radial artery at the base of the thumb (lateral to the mass of wrist tendons) using your index and middle fingers. Count the pulse for a period of 10 seconds and multiply by six. Record the results in beats per minute (bpm).Values < 120 mmHg for SBP and < 80 mmHg for DBP are considered normal Values between 120 and 139 mmHg for SBP or 80 and 89 mmHg for DBP are categorized as prehypertension SBP values between 140 and 159 mmHg or DBP values between 90 and 99 mmHg is stage 1 hypertension SBP values 160 mmHg or values 100 mmHg for DBP places an adult in stage 2 hypertensionBody composition describes the relative proportion of fat to fat-free mass. Excess body fat places an individual at increased risk for development of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, stroke and hypertension. A number of laboratory and field techniques have been developed to assess this important component of physical fitness.* Rotate through measurement sites to ensure the skin has time to return to normal.ACSM also recommends measurement of waist circumference, since body fat distribution, particularly in the abdomen, is an important predictor of a number of health risks. Measurements should be made with a flexible yet inelastic tape measure placed lightly (avoid compressing the skin) at the narrowest part of the torso above the umbilicus and below the xiphoid process. This process should be repeated until duplicate measures are within 5 mm. Waist circumferences
Operations
Friday Night Fights
Violence in and around football venues in 2005 has spurred a reexamination of event security.
Photo by Jonathan Ernst
Stadium & Arena
Last Call?
Administrators continue to struggle with decisions regarding the sale of alcohol at sporting events.
Photo courtesy of USC Sports Information
Outdoor Fields
Timing is Everything
Quality sports turf maintenance requires a keen eye and careful scheduling.
Photo courtesy of Pam Sherratt/OSU
Stadium & Arena
Sideline Supplies
"Options for equipping the areas immediately outside playing fields and courts are seemingly boundless."
AP Photo/John Russell
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