Scheduled for Sport Management, Psychology, and Leisure & Recreation Posters, Thursday, April 1, 2004, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, Convention Center: Exhibit Hall Poster Session


Physical Activity Instructors: Do They Provide Quality Programs?

Barbara Schlatter, Illinois State University, Normal, IL and Marta Moorman, University of Nebraska at Kearney, Kearney

Although physical activity programs abound in the leisure service industry, physical activity levels of Americans remain inadequate. Those who deliver such programs are a varied group, many whom changed careers to help people realize health related goals. Recent increases in the number of instructors have been a cause for concern because many positions do not require a degree in the exercise science field. Quality fitness programs should include client interviews; content on flexibility, strength and muscular endurance, cardio respiratory, and body composition analysis; and address the principles of mode, frequency, duration and intensity (Golding, 2000). Quality recreation programs should address assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation (DeGraaf, Jordon, & DeGraaf, 1999; Rossman & Schlatter, 2000). The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine the extent to which instructors incorporate fitness and recreation components into their programs. The researchers created a survey instrument based on fitness (Golding, 2000) and recreation (DeGraaf, Jordon, & DeGraaf, 1999; Rossman & Schlatter, 2000) literature. Respondents from leisure service agencies in greater Omaha completed the survey by indicating how often they performed specific tasks associated with their programs based on a five-point scale: seldom, sometimes, often, almost always, and always. Completed surveys totaled 68 for a response rate of 22%. Respondents were predominately female (78%) and most had a four-year degree (41%). Most certifications were held through the American Red Cross and the YMCA. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics. For assessment, respondents reported that they often assess for fitness/health related activities for individuals, but seldom provide pre-post test fitness testing. For planning, they often determine content for strength and endurance, flexibility, cardio respiratory; and sometimes develop individual exercise prescriptions or behavior objectives. For implementation, respondents seldom complete participant progress reports; and sometimes provide resources on other services, promote partnerships among health providers, and refer participants to related services. Respondents often suggest follow-up activities and assure compliance with industry standards/regulations. Respondents reported that they almost always teach fitness/physical activity skills. Finally, respondents seldom conduct any form of evaluation. These results indicate that the programming practices examined in this study were somewhat consistent with approaches presented by DeGraaf, Jordon, & DeGraaf, 1999; Golding, 2000; Rossman & Schlatter, 2000). Recreation and fitness administrators need to examine these results to strengthen the quality of existing programs. Future studies should investigate whether similar findings exist in a national sample of physical activity instructors.
Keyword(s): community-based programs, exercise/fitness

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