Endorsed by EuropeActive, this text includes best practices and scientific fundamentals related to the on-the-job responsibilities and duties of qualified personal trainers. The content applies to level 4 of the European Qualifications Framework.
Applied reference book for those working toward level 4 of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and for personal trainers striving to comply with the latest industry standards and best practices.
The European Register of Exercise Professionals (EREPS) uses the EuropeActive standards to ensure that exercise professionals are qualified to offer safe and effective fitness programmes to their clients across Europe. EREPS provides consumers, employers and partners in medical professions with the confidence that registered trainers are both competent and able to work to support its Code of Ethical Practice, which defines the rights and principles of exercise professionals. Referencing the EuropeActive standards and being registered mean that trainers have met the minimum standards of good practice and that they are committed to enhancing their skills and professional status through a process of lifelong learning.
EREPS is regulated by the EuropeActive Professional Standards Committee using the official European Qualifications Framework (EQF), which describes the knowledge, skills and competencies exercise professionals need for registration.
About the Editors
Thomas Rieger, DrRerSoc, has been the chairman of the standards council of EuropeActive since 2012. He holds a doctoral degree in social sciences with a specialization in sport science (German PhD equivalent) from the University of Tubingen and a master's degree in public health. In 2007, he was appointed as a professor of sport management at the Business and Information Technology School (BiTS) in Iserlohn, Germany. At BiTS, he is the vice dean of the bachelor's programme of sport and event management and the master's programme of international sport and event management. Previously, Dr. Rieger served as visiting professor at the Real Madrid Graduate School and the European University Cyprus in Nicosia. Before entering academia in 2006, he gained more than six years of experience in the fitness industry, especially in the fields of fitness marketing and quality management.
Ben Jones, BSc (Hons), is a founder and director of BlueSkies Fitness Ltd., a company that provides workplace wellness solutions to small- and medium-sized employers, offers learning and development consultancy, and manages the process of provider accreditation for EuropeActive. Mr. Jones has extensive experience in developing standards, qualifications, assessments and learning resources in the UK, Europe and UAE and has written for EuropeActive, Active IQ, VTCT, Lifetime Awarding and other organization. He is a master trainer for MEND, Momenta and TechnoGym and was one of the first PTA global faculty in the UK. Previously, he held the role of teaching and curriculum manager at Lifetime Training. Before entering the fitness sector in 1999 and going on to build a successful personal training practice and hold multiple fitness management roles, Mr. Jones studied physiology at Leeds University.
Alfonso Jimenez, PhD, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, FLF, is a professor of exercise science and health and the executive director of the Centre for Applied Biological and Exercise Sciences at Coventry University (UK) and a member of the scientific advisory board of UKActive Research Institute. Previous roles include professor and dean of the faculty of health, exercise and sports science at European University of Madrid (Spain) and main academic leader of the Real Madrid Graduate School; professor, deputy dean and head of school of sport and exercise science at Victoria University in Melbourne (Australia); professor and headd of the centre for sport science and human performance at the University of Greenwich in London (UK); and chairman of the standards council at EuropeActive. He was awarded honorary membership of EuropeActive in recognition of his outstanding service. He is currently a visiting professor and international research associate at ISEAL at Victoria University, visiting professor at the University of Greenwich and chair of the research and dissemination commission at the Healthy & Active Living Foundation in Spain. Before entering academia, Dr. Jimenez focused on management, research and sales in the fitness industry.
Chapter 1. Professionalism and Presentation
Jan Middelkamp
Personal Training
Examining the Sector of Personal Training
Professionalism of Personal Trainers in Business
Presentation and Qualifications in Personal Training
Marketing and Sales
Conclusion
Chapter 2. Planning a Personal Training Session
Davide Filingeri and Thomas Rieger
Principles and Characteristics of Personal Training
Planning Activities
Conclusion
Chapter 3. Delivering a Personal Training Session
Nuno Pimenta
Monitoring and Adjusting Exercise
Maintaining Good Communication and Motivation
Different Personal Training Environments
Extending Frequent and Good Communication to Clients
Conclusion
Chapter 4. Skeletal Articulations and Joint Movement
Daniel Robbins and Mark Goss-Sampson
Connective Tissue
Joint Structure
Lever Systems
Effects of Resistance Training on Joints
Conclusion
Chapter 5. Injury Prevention
Pauline Jacobs and John van Heel
Osteoporosis
Spinal Injury Prevention
Shoulder Stabilisation
Ligamentous Damage
Conclusion
Chapter 6. Muscular System
Anders Nedergaard
Contraction Types and Their Characteristics
Acute Muscle Adaptations to Different Training Types
Chronic Muscle Adaptation to Training
Muscle Functions of the Hip and Thoracolumbar Fascia
Conclusion
Chapter 7. Energy Systems
Francesco Bertiato and Simonetta Senni
Three Energy Systems
Acute Variables and Energy Systems
Effects of EPOC and Interval Training on Metabolism
Fat Burning
METs and Calories
Methods for Monitoring Exercise
Use of Energy from Nutrients
Conclusion
Chapter 8. Cardiorespiratory System
Christoffer Andersen
Cardiovascular System
Respiratory System
Conclusion
Chapter 9. Nervous System
Alexis Batrakoulis
Organisation of the Nervous System
Function of the Nervous System
Nervous System and Exercise
Conclusion
Chapter 10. Hormonal Responses to Exercise
Sabrena Merrill and Cedric X. Bryant
Structural Overview of the Endocrine System
Classification of Hormones
Hormone Interactions with Target Cells
Hormonal Responses to Acute Exercise
Hormonal Adaptations to Chronic Exercise Training
Conclusion
Chapter 11. Health and Fitness Assessment
Nuno Pimenta, Samantha Jones and Ben Jones
Defining Health and Fitness
Preliminary Health Assessment
Fitness Assessments
Conclusion
Chapter 12. Psychological Aspects of Personal Training
Chris Beedie
Role of Psychology in Personal Training
Goals and Goal Setting
Beliefs and Expectations
Emotions, Stress and Coping
Conclusion
Chapter 13. Nutrition
Fernando Naclerio and Robert Cooper
Energy Requirement
Estimating Energy Expenditure
Calculating Energy Needs
Recommended Dietary Intakes
Healthy Eating Patterns
How Dietary Intake Influences Health
Micronutrient Deficiency and Health
Fads and Popular Diets
Food Pyramid and MyPlate Dietary Plan
Developing a Healthy, Balanced Way of Eating
Tobacco, Alcohol and Caffeine
Fat and Lipoprotein
Safe and Effective Weight Loss and Gain
Conclusion
Chapter 14. Training Adaptations
Rafael Oliveira, Joao Brito and Ben Jones
Adaptations to Training Principles
Adaptations to Resistance Training
Adaptations to Aerobic Training
Adaptations to Range of Motion Training
Conclusion
Chapter 15. Exercise Planning and Programming
Christoffer Andersen, Thomas Rieger and Lars L. Andersen
Planning for Resistance Training
Planning for Aerobic Endurance Training
Applied Training Programming
Examples of Exercise Programming
Conclusion