Comprehensive Notes on Fitness and Careers in Health and Fitness
Fitness and Careers in Health and Fitness
Overview of the Fitness Profession
Core goal: Improve physical functioning and health of individuals and communities.
Multifaceted approach; traditionally involved in worksite, clinical, commercial, and community settings.
Blurring lines between these settings.
Rise of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs)
Comparison of communicable vs noncommunicable diseases:
1910: 46% deaths due to communicable disease, 6% to heart disease.
2010: 3% deaths due to communicable disease, 24% to heart disease.
NCDs cause 41 million deaths annually (WHO, 2018).
Leading causes of death:
Cardiovascular disease
Cancer
Respiratory disease
Diabetes
Physical Activity Guidelines (1996 Surgeon General's Report)
Shift focus from communicable diseases to NCDs.
Physical activity's new role:
Children: 60 minutes of activity per day; muscle and bone strengthening 3 days/week.
Adults: 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week; strengthening exercises on 2+ days a week.
Opportunity for kinesiology professionals expanded.
Settings for Health and Fitness
Worksite: Health promotion programs yield benefits for employees and businesses.
Commercial: Offers various health and fitness services; examples include Planet Fitness.
Clinical: Includes hospitals and outpatient facilities.
Community: Local non-profit organizations; public health-oriented programs.
Roles for Health and Fitness Professionals
Evolving positions due to public policy, social forces, market demands.
Require expertise in multiple areas:
Anatomy, Physiology, Nutrition, Programming, Biomechanics, Motor Control, Psychology.
Anatomy
Key aspects:
Muscle locations, attachments, joint mechanics, contraindicated movements, stretching techniques.
Example: Deltoid lateral raises.
Physiology
Aspects to consider:
Energy sources, sustainability, chemical effects, physiological responses.
Example: Breath holding during exercise impacts performance.
Nutrition
Food sources impacting performance:
Carbs, protein, fats, sugars; timing and types of food before exercise.
Influencing factors:
Sport/activity type, age, sex, body type, environment.
Programming
Elements to consider for effective workout plans:
Duration, types of exercises, number of reps/sets, rest intervals, routine changes.
Biomechanics
Considerations for exercise positions and modifications for injuries.
Example: Comparing regular push-ups to knee push-ups.
Motor Control
Factors affecting motor skills and coordination.
Example: Experimenting with tapping rhythms to gauge coordination.
Psychology
Motivational strategies:
Encouragement mechanisms, effects of criticism on motivation.
Career Opportunities in Health and Fitness
Various roles include:
Group fitness instructor
Health and fitness specialist
Wellness coach
Personal trainer
Health and fitness director
Public health educator and more.
Detailed Role Explanations
Group Fitness Instructor
Leads diverse classes; must be knowledgeable about current trends and certified.
Health and Fitness Specialist
Conducts assessments and customizes exercise programs, usually requiring certifications.
Health and Wellness Coach
Focuses on lifestyle changes and personal decision-making; broader scope than personal training.
Personal Trainer
Individual support on fitness topics, usually certified and may specialize.
Health and Fitness Director
Oversees facility services and staff, often requires graduate education.
Specialty Positions
Examples include clinical exercise physiologist, physical therapist, dietitian.
Trends and Opportunities
Multidimensional wellness model and integration of physical activity into healthcare.
Advice for Health and Fitness Students
Gain broad education, pursue relevant internships, remain current with industry literature.
Conclusion
Kinesiology is relevant for all demographics and emphasizes the need for exercise across diverse populations.