SkillsActive and the Register of exercise Professionals (REPs) have begun the first stage of a review of qualifications structures for those exercise professionals who work with people with specialist needs.

Existing standards state that instructors who work with those specific health needs ranging from back pain to age-related conditions hold appropriate qualifications and are level 3 registered.

These guidelines were introduced with the Register and were based on the premise that the majority of gym users are fit and healthy. However responses from the survey show that both level 2 and level 3 members are working with those currently classified as having specialist needs on a regular basis. In particular of those questioned:

• 82 per cent said they regularly work with older adults

• 78 per cent worked with people with lower back pain • 74 per cent worked with obese people or people with diabetes

• over 40 per cent worked with people with a disability, pre- or post-natal clients, GP referrals, young people, and people at risk of falling • more than 30 per cent said they worked with people who had suffered a stroke and with people those with mental health problems

Registrar Cliff Collins said: “It is clear from the results of this survey that the reality of what happens on the gym floor indicates a requirement for a more general approach to working with wider groups of people than the national standards provide. The standards for special population training are currently in additional units and some incorporation/recognition of these into the main qualifications would seem to be desirable consideration.

“Our job is to now work out the best way of bringing the two into line working alongside employers, our members and training providers to ensure that a new, more practical, framework is put into place.”

He added: “Clearly the industry is moving to a more inclusive client-base and our members’ skills and qualifications have to reflect this. We also need to review how specialist populations are defined and make sure their needs are met safely and appropriately.

“This change won’t happen overnight but thanks to the candid responses of those members who took part in the consultation survey we can work towards ensuring this happens in the most appropriate way.”

With 42 per cent of instructors taking part saying they expect to work with more clients with specialist needs SkillsActive and REPs will now start to put processes in place to work with employers and then training providers to see how the new guidelines can meet their needs too.

Photograph: istock / Eliza Snow