Supporting Participation in Physical Activity for Older Adults

Course Description

Course Overview

This qualification is suitable for fitness professionals who already work with, or would like to work with, older adults/people in mid to later life. The demand for physical activity and exercise suitable for older adults is continuously increasing with an emphasis being placed on it helping to maintain independence and overall wellbeing. In this course, we focus on understanding a person’s stage of life and how to remove the associated barriers they face so we can effectively engage more people in physical activity and exercise. Plus, we explore how to ensure your sessions are safe, effective, inclusive and fun for long term engagement.

If you would like to expand your knowledge, skills and competence to safely plan and adapt exercise for people in mid to later life, then this is the course for you.

Who is it for?

This course is suitable for anyone with the drive and passion to improve the health, fitness and wellbeing of individuals in mid-later life. Regardless of whether you are a personal trainer, yoga teacher or gym instructor, the age spectrum of your clients will be broad; therefore, it is essential to understand their stage of life and how to make your sessions inclusive, accessible, functional and supportive to ageing well.

This qualification enables you to expand on your current roles and is a potential way to earn more money.

Prerequisites

Learners must hold one or more of the following:

Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing (gym, group etc)
Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training
Level 3 Diploma in Exercise Referral
Level 3 Diploma in Instructing Pilates Matwork
Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Yoga

Course Content

During this course, you will cover:

• Anatomical, physiological and biomechanical changes associated with ageing and inactivity
• Ageing and inactivity associated health conditions
• Barriers and the strategies to overcome them
• How to promote and engage this demographic
• Considerations for safe and effective exercise programming
• How to plan and adapt effective exercise programmes

Study Formats

This course is offered as blended online learning with the support of a mentor. There are two pathway options for you to choose from and the details are below.

You can study at a time and place that is suitable for you, making the course more accessible.

Studying will take place within our Online Learning Environment. The information is taught via a series of video presentations to replicate the classroom experience. Interactive activities and quizzes are used to check on your learning progress as you move through the units. The online learning environment is compatible with all modern devices.

Pathway A – This is a theory based qualification which requires you to study the online lessons at your own pace. You will then be assessed via questions, the creation of a resource, worksheets and a case study. No attendance is required.

Pathway B – This pathway will provide you with the status of ‘Practitioner’. You will complete the same as pathway A, plus an additional practical assessment. To support you, you will be required to attend one live Zoom workshop (approx 3 hours). You will then participate in a practical observation via video submission, live on Zoom or in person (subject to location).

You will have a personal mentor who will get in contact with you and they are there for support and guidance throughout the course.

Length of Course

The time it takes to complete this qualification is dependant upon the time you have available to commit to it, your learning style and the pathway you choose to complete.

As a rough guide, it is possible to complete this qualification within 3-4 weeks. This is based on 2-3 hours of learning per day. If you can complete more training each day then you may be able to complete it faster; equally, if you are not able to commit 2-3 hours a day then it may take longer. You need to take into consideration which pathway you are completing and the time it will take to complete the associated assessments.

A timescale will be discussed between you and your mentor to help give you an idea of course duration.

Assessments

The assessments include:

Pathway A

1. Question and answers – automatically marked
2. Creation of an information resource
3. Applied case study questions
4. Case study and exercise programme (scenario based)

Pathway B

The same 4 assessments as Pathway A, plus:

1. Observation of practical teaching

Workshop Dates 2023

Saturday 9th December, 9am-12pm

Workshop Dates 2024

Wednesday 31st January, 2pm-5pm

Saturday 16th March, 9am-12pm

Cost of the Course

Pathway A – £285

Pathway B – £299*

The fee includes the cost of a hard copy manual and hardcopy certificate alongside all online resources and support (according to pathway)

* If you choose to enrol online, you will be invoiced £285. If you wish to complete Pathway B, you will be invoiced the £14 when booking the Zoom workshop.

PTD Hub members receive a 10% discount on all of our courses.**

How Do I Enrol?

As long as you have the correct pre-requisite qualification, you can pay online and gain immediate access to the course materials. Just follow these steps:

• Click ‘register to take this course’ and create an online account.
• Once logged in, navigate back to this page and select ‘Take this course’ to be taken to the payment window.

To complete your official enrolment, you will need to download the application form below (see ‘Helpful Documents’) and then send it to info@puretraininganddevelopment.co.uk

Once your application form has been received, you will be contacted within 24 hours by your mentor and an admin member who will confirm your suitability for the course and finalise confirmation. Ensure you read the terms and conditions. By purchasing this course you are agreeing to our Full Terms and Conditions and Online Booking Terms.

What will I gain by completing this course?

As well as the accreditation stated below, you will have the knowledge and competence to plan and instruct exercise programmes for people in mid to later life, opening doors to a new and exciting career in the fitness industry.

Accreditation

This is a recognised qualification from YMCA Awards. By the end of this course, you will be a fully qualified instructor for Older Adults, receiving a Level 3 Award in Supporting Participation in Physical Activity: Older Adults. If you complete Pathway B, you will be recognised with the term ‘practitioner’ on your certificate to confirm you have demonstrated relevant skills in delivering exercise for this population.
You will be awarded 10 CIMSPA CPD points for completion.

Helpful Documents

Application Form for Pure Training (PDF)

• For iOS devices, download the free App here
• For Android devices, download the free App here
• For Windows, download the free software here

If you aren’t sure how to complete or sign your form use the support documents for computers here, iOS here, Android here & OSX here (Mac).

Full Terms and Conditions

Online Booking Terms and Conditions

** See our terms and conditions

E&OE