Awarding body Active IQ has launched its new Level 4 Certificate in Sports Massage.

The new level 4 qualification has been recognised by the Sports Remedial Therapy Council. It also meets the National Occupational Standards stipulated by the British Olympic Committee (BOC), set out as guidelines for anybody wanting to work with athletes at the 2012 Olympics.

The qualification has been designed as a vocational course and does not include theoretical work and research requirements of a Level 5 qualifications.

The course aims to offer sufficient knowledge and skills to identify the signs, symptoms and causes of more than 50 of the most common injuries and conditions which affect both the athletes and the general public alike.

Suzy Toseland-Goakes, executive director for Active IQ said: "We've fused a number of vocational teachings to deliver a practical qualification.

"Although an intense and detailed qualification, its modular design allows a structured and staged approach to learning, with each "unit" having value in its own right."