The Fitness Industry Assocation's Register for Exercise Professionals has been praised in a government framework document on exercise referral schemes.

The Department of Health's document, Exercise Referral Schemes: A National Quality Assurance Framework refers to the register as a useful source of exercise practitioners.

The recently opened register is held by the Fitness Alliance, which is jointly operated by the FIA and SPRITO, the industry's national training organisation.

The document also makes a reference to codes of practice, stating: Professionals involved in a scheme will be expected to practise within the standards and codes of practice of their respective professional regulatory body to ensure patient well-being.

The recommendation is a huge boost to the FIA, which has more than 80 per cent of its operator members compliant with its own code of practice.