title: An investigation of pre-activity cardiovascular screening procedures in health/fitness facilities--part II: rationale for low adherence with national standards.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore the rationale provided by program directors and general managers of health/fitness facilities for low adherence to nationally accepted standards related to pre-activity cardiovascular screening procedures (PACSPs) for members and clients of personal trainers. Qualitative interviews were conducted with the directors/managers in a Midwest region representing 76 facilities who indicated they did not conduct PACSPs for members and clients of personal trainers. Analysis of the rationale provided revealed 6 major clusters: (1) Purpose or need for screening; (2) time and staffing; (3) barrier to participation; (4) personal responsibility for health and actions; (5) legal issues; and (6) company or franchise policy that categorized the reasons for low adherence to PACSPs. These findings highlight the need to increase awareness of the relevance of PACSPs among health/fitness managers, staff members, and current exercise science students as well as engage those in risk management for informed dialogue for consistent application of the standard of care.
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Kenosha, WI, USA. springej@matc.edu
authors.forename: Judy B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Springer
authors.forename: JoAnn M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Eickhoff-Shemek
authors.forename: Ernest J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Zuberbuehler
mesh_terms: D001290:Attitude; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003625:Data Collection; D020446:Fitness Centers / Q000592:standards*; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D016365:Liability, Legal; D016134:Organizational Policy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires