Can Fitness Education Programs Satisfy Fitness Professionals' Competencies? Integrating Traditional and Revised Importance-Performance Analysis and Three-Factor Theory.

Gordon Chih Ming Ku,Chi-Ming Hsieh

doi:10.3390/ijerph17114011

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess whether fitness education programs could meet the needs or competencies of fitness professionals such as personal trainers and group fitness instructors. A mixed method was adopted to address the objectives of the study. In the first step, a semi-structured interview was conducted with five fitness experts to identify the five dimensions of professional competencies. In the second step, an online survey and paper questionnaires were utilized to collect data from 324 eligible subjects. Traditional importance-performance analysis, revised importance-performance analysis, and the three-factor theory were used to analyze the collected data. The results indicate that “professional skill,” “career development,” and “public relations” are the three most critical professional competencies. “Nutrition” and “coping with stress” should be strengthened and improved in fitness education programs. “Administrative management” is the least important professional competency. Multi-competencies development and lifelong learning are the factors for a successful fitness trainer.

Highlights

Sports clubs are rapidly growing globally because regular and appropriate physical activity has a profoundly positive effect on health and well-being [1]
A qualified fitness professional has to complete a series of professional education courses and pass rigorous qualification exams which ensure that the fitness trainer has the sufficient competencies to safely and correctly guide clients in fitness activity and certifies that fitness professionals have the knowledge and skills to assess, motivate, and train clients in their health and fitness needs [5,6]
This study identifies the essential competencies using three assessment approaches, TIPA, revised IPA (RIPA), and the three-factor theory, simultaneously

Summary

Introduction

Sports clubs are rapidly growing globally because regular and appropriate physical activity has a profoundly positive effect on health and well-being [1]. Fitness professionals play a key role in delivering accurate knowledge and skills to clients and motivating them to get involved in fitness activities [2]. A competent fitness professional is regarded as an essential resource in the delivery of fitness knowledge and skills for increasing physical activity [4]. A qualified fitness professional has to complete a series of professional education courses and pass rigorous qualification exams which ensure that the fitness trainer has the sufficient competencies to safely and correctly guide clients in fitness activity and certifies that fitness professionals have the knowledge and skills to assess, motivate, and train clients in their health and fitness needs [5,6]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion