OVERVIEW

In addition to requiring the knowledge, skills and competences to deliver diverse exercise that covers different target groups, fitness professionals should also be role models in a variety of areas. Alongside all the relevant elements like training, nutrition or communication, they should also represent and adopt an anti-doping and socially responsible attitude. The European Register of Exercise Professionals (EREPS) Code of Ethical Practice already states that an objective for exercise professionals should be to never advocate or condone the use of prohibited drugs or other banned performance enhancing substances.

The European fitness sectors encourage and promote a healthy way of living, which includes physical, mental, and nutritional components. When it comes to a balanced nutrition, supplements can deliver a supporting contribution to achieve fitness and health goals. Exercise professionals must be informed about the difference between useful nutritional supplements and prohibited performance enhancing doping substances. It is essential to know the threshold of moving from a healthy approach over to hazardous attitude where by doping substances can have a negative impact.

The EHFA Standards Council have developed a set of educational standards for anti-doping, which come together to form the learning objectives and assessment criteria of the Careers in Fitness EHFA Level 3 Anti-Doping Specialist Course. Consequently, the course provides the knowledge and skills to be able to identify the signs of doping practice and educate individuals on the negative impact of doping and on proper nutritional plans that are free from doping practices.

The EHFA Standards Council appreciate that Anti-Doping knowledge, skills and competence is fundamentally important for all fitness professionals and therefore this course is available to trainers qualified at levels 3, 4 or 5 (2, 3 & 4 in the UK). The fact that the course objectives and assessments have been mapped and aligned to the EHFA Level 3 Anti-Doping Specialist standards provides validation of its relevance and quality to all fitness professionals looking to raise their awareness and improve their understanding of anti-doping issues..

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

An EHFA Level 3 Fitness instructor EQF qualification of higher or a UK Level 2 Fitness instructor qualification or higher.

There is also an element of communication (speaking, reading and writing) involved, and learners should possess basic communication skills.

UNITS INVOLVED

Core Anti-Doping Knowledge

1 What is Doping?

2 Doping substances and health risks

3 Ethical issues: Why fight doping?

4 Anti-doping lifestyle and attitude

5 Communication

DELIVERY

Online eLearning with additional tutor support and guidance

ASSESSMENT

Worksheets, or alternative question and answer activity, for knowledge-based aspects

Witness testimonial

Video submission of evidence to confirm practical competence