Australian fitness professionals' level of interest in engaging with high health-risk population subgroups: findings from a national survey

J A Bennie; G Thomas; G H Wiesner; J G Z van Uffelen; A Khan; T Kolbe-Alexander; I Vergeer; S J H Biddle

doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2018.03.035

Australian fitness professionals' level of interest in engaging with high health-risk population subgroups: findings from a national survey

Public Health. 2018 Jul:160:108-115. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2018.03.035. Epub 2018 May 26.

Authors

J A Bennie¹, G Thomas², G H Wiesner³, J G Z van Uffelen⁴, A Khan⁵, T Kolbe-Alexander⁶, I Vergeer⁷, S J H Biddle⁸

Affiliations

¹ Physically Active Lifestyles Group (USQ-PALs), Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, Education City, 37 Sinnathamby Boulevard, Springfield Central, QLD 4300 Australia. Electronic address: jason.bennie@usq.edu.au.
² Physically Active Lifestyles Group (USQ-PALs), Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, Education City, 37 Sinnathamby Boulevard, Springfield Central, QLD 4300 Australia. Electronic address: George.Thomas@usq.edu.au.
³ Active Living and Public Health Program, Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University, Ballarat Rd, Footscray VIC 3011, Australia. Electronic address: Glen.Wiesner@vu.edu.au.
⁴ School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia; Physically Active Lifestyles Group (USQ-PALs), Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, Education City, 37 Sinnathamby Boulevard, Springfield Central, QLD 4300 Australia. Electronic address: jannique.vanuffelen@kuleuven.be.
⁵ Department of Kinesiology, Physical Activity, Sports and Health Research Group, KU Leuven- University of Leuven, Oude Markt 13, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: a.khan2@uq.edu.au.
⁶ Physically Active Lifestyles Group (USQ-PALs), Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, Education City, 37 Sinnathamby Boulevard, Springfield Central, QLD 4300 Australia. Electronic address: Tracy.Kolbe-Alexander@usq.edu.au.
⁷ Physically Active Lifestyles Group (USQ-PALs), Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, Education City, 37 Sinnathamby Boulevard, Springfield Central, QLD 4300 Australia. Electronic address: ineke.vergeer@usq.edu.au.
⁸ Physically Active Lifestyles Group (USQ-PALs), Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, Education City, 37 Sinnathamby Boulevard, Springfield Central, QLD 4300 Australia. Electronic address: stuart.biddle@usq.edu.au.

PMID: 29803185
DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2018.03.035

Abstract

Objectives: Fitness industry professionals (personal trainers, group instructors) may have a role in health promotion, particularly when working with subgroups with known health risks (e.g. older adults, obese). The aim of this study is to examine fitness professionals' level of interest in engaging with high-risk populations.

Study design: Cross-sectional evaluation of a national survey.

Methods: In 2014, 9100 Australian registered exercise professionals were invited to complete an online survey. Respondents reported their level of interest in engaging with nine health-risk population subgroups. A multivariable logistic regression analysis assessed the odds of being classified as having a 'low level' of interest in training high health-risk subgroups, adjusting for demographic and fitness industry-related factors.

Results: Of 1185 respondents (aged 17-72 years), 31.1% reported having a 'high level' of interest in training high health-risk subgroups. The highest level of interest was among 'obese clients' and 'adults (18-64 years) with chronic health conditions'. In the adjusted analysis, males (odds ratio [OR], 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-2.25) and those in urban settings (OR, 2.26, 95% CI: 1.54-3.37) were more likely to have a 'low level' of interest.

Conclusions: Fitness professionals have a modest level of interest in training high health-risk subgroups. In addition to the development of strategies to increase interest, research should examine whether fitness professionals are able to safely prescribe exercise to high health-risk subgroups.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Fitness trainers; Health behaviours; Physical activity.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Australia / epidemiology
Chronic Disease / epidemiology
Chronic Disease / therapy*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Exercise Therapy
Female
Health Promotion / organization & administration*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Obesity / epidemiology
Obesity / therapy*
Physical Education and Training*
Professional-Patient Relations*
Risk Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
Young Adult