Elite Fitness Leaders Diploma VRE005

The nature and variety of work in the fitness industry has been in a rapid state of change for several years. The Elite Fitness Leaders Certificate was developed by Warnborough College in association with Association Correspondence Schools in response to this.

Course Structure: Elite Fitness Leaders Diploma VRE005

The following needs to be completed in order for students to be awarded the Elite Fitness Leader Certificate:

A. CORE MODULES

Stage I

There are 12 lessons in this module as follows:

1. Introduction to Health & Fitness
2. Exercise Physiology
3. Exercise Principles & Cardio Respiratory Programming
4. Introduction to Biomechanics: The skeleton & muscles
5. Biomechanics & Risk
6. Fitness Program Design
7. Delivering a Fitness Program
8. Physiology: Digestion, excretion, physiological systems
9. Regulating Body Physiology
10. Ergogenic Aids to Performance
11. Safety, Injury & General Wellbeing
12. Fitness Programs for Special Groups

Stage II

There are 7 lessons in this module as follows:

1. Nerves & Motor Skills
2. Skeletal Muscle
3. Muscle Organisation & Movement
4. Muscle Flexibility & Posture
5. Managing Diet
6. Managing an Exercise Program
7. Writing an Exercise Program

B. Elective Specialist Module

The student will normally choose to study from:

• Advanced Aerobics BRE208
  
• Aquafitness BRE207
  
• Resistance & Gym Supervision BRE206
  

Other options may occasionally be accepted.

C. Basic Pathophysiology

This is a stand alone course which is studied with Health Schools Australia, a partner school in the delivery of this Elite Fitness Certificate. You will be automatically enrolled in Pathophysiology when you enrol in the Elite Fitness Certificate with Warnborough College. The Pathophysiology course will be sent to you to undertake during the second half of your studies.

D. Psychology and Counselling Module

The module 'Psychology & Counselling BPS102' will be sent to you unless you arrange otherwise. Alternative psychology modules offered by the college may be accepted (eg. Sports Psychology), but a special arrangement must be made in advance of the course being sent.

Other requirements

1. First Aid

The student must complete a First Aid Certificate with either the Red Cross or Red Crescent, or an equivalent course with a reputable body that holds good standing both nationally and internationally (e.g. St. John's Ambulance).

2. Practical

Part 1: Practical work in a health and fitness workplace (e.g. a gymnasium or health club) under supervision of a qualified consultant or instructor. An instructor is considered qualified if:

• They hold a degree or diploma in Fitness or human movement; or
• They were registered as a Fitness Leader under the old Fitness Leader registration scheme conducted by AFAC; or
• They studied a reputable and relevant course, of 200 hrs or more duration; and have the equivalent of 2 years or more (part time or full time) industry experience, within a reputable gymnasium or health club.
• This practical must be documented in detail for 40 hours, by your supervisor, in a log book supplied by the school.

Part 2: Work Experience in a reputable and relevant situation for a period of 100 hours. This may be paid or unpaid work, in self employment, or in the employ of someone else. Either way, you must validate the nature and scope of this work by supplying two references (eg. from employers, supervisors, colleagues or clients).
The references need to be letters which provide the following information:

• Name and contact details of the writer.
• Your relationship with the writer, and their interest in the fitness industry
• The hours that you have worked, and the dates between which that work was undertaken.
• What you actually did
• Their opinion of the quality of the work you undertook.

Partial extract from course notes:  Elite Fitness Leaders Diploma

FROM CELLS TO BODIES
Humans are multi-cellular organisms.  The single cells, many of which are specialised so that they can perform a particular function, are grouped together to form tissues.  These tissues in turn form special groups called organs.  The groups of organs make up a system, and the systems join together to form a living body.

HUMAN TISSUES

There are four basic types of tissue found in humans:

• Epithelial tissues
• Connective tissues
• Muscle tissues
• Nervous tissues

Epithelial tissues
These are formed from cells which join together to form covering layers, for example, the skin covering the body.  This type of tissue also forms the covering layers of various organs in the body; the lining of the body cavities and the active parts of the glands of the body.  Epithelial tissues are made up of specialised cells of various shapes and are joined in different ways as shown.  You do not need to memorise all the different types of epithelial tissue - just be aware they exist!

Connective tissues
This is the tissue which joins other tissues together. Connective tissues give form and strength to many organs, and often serve for protection and leverage. Examples of connective tissue are: bones; tendons; ligaments; cartilage and fat.

Muscle tissues
There are three types of muscle tissues:

• Striated or voluntary muscle tissue which is the type found in your arms and legs and which you can rest as you wish. Skeletal muscle is made up of striated muscle fibres supported by connective tissues attached to bone by tendons or an aponeurosis, and stimulated by nerves.
• Smooth or involuntary muscle tissue works automatically and cannot be controlled by you.  Involuntary muscle tissue would be found in the muscle in the intestine which moves food along though the gut.
• Cardiac muscle tissue is also involuntary and cannot be controlled by you.  This type of muscle tissue is found in the heart.

Muscle tissue is made so that it can expand and contract.  You contract (shorten) the muscles of your arm when you pick up a brick and expand (lengthen) them when you stretch out your arm.  The involuntary muscles of the body expand and contract on their own (think how your heart beats without your control).
 
Nervous tissue
The nerve cells which make up this tissue are sensitive to stimuli, such as heat and touch.  They can link up charges and transmit impulses through the nervous system.

These are the different types of tissues, but remember that, although they are different from each other because they perform different functions, they are all made up of cells.  These cells are the basic units of life.  They take in food or nutrients, utilise the nutrients and produce energy and waste products.  That is the basic process of living - the breakdown of food into energy and waste products.  This process goes on in plants and animals (including humans).

CELL DIVISION
Cell growth occurs by a single cell dividing to reproduce two cells. This process can occur by either of two different methods; either mitosis or meiosis.

• Mitosis is a process involving one parent cell, where the new cells are identical copies of the cell which they came from (ie. the parent cell). This process is involved in normal growth processes of an organism such as:
  
  • An organism growing bigger throughout its life.
  • An organism replacing dead or discarded cells (rejuvenation).
  • Meiosis is a process that occurs only during sexual reproduction.