title: Sources of practice knowledge among Australian fitness trainers.
abstract: Few studies have examined the sources of practice knowledge fitness trainers use to inform their training methods and update knowledge. This study aims to describe sources of practice knowledge among Australian fitness trainers. In July 2014, 9100 Australian fitness trainers were invited to complete an online survey. Respondents reported the frequency of use of eight sources of practice knowledge (e.g. fitness magazines, academic texts). In a separate survey, exercise science experts (n = 27) ranked each source as either (1) 'high-quality' or (2) 'low-quality'. Proportions of users of 'high-quality' sources were calculated across demographic (age, sex) and fitness industry-related characteristics (qualification, setting, role). A multivariate logistic regression analysis assessed the odds of being classified as a user of high-quality sources, adjusting for demographic and fitness industry-related factors. Out of 1185 fitness trainers (response rate = 13.0%), aged 17-72 years, 47.6% (95% CI, 44.7-50.4%) were classified as frequent users of high-quality sources of practice knowledge. In the adjusted analysis, compared to trainers aged 17-26 years, those aged ≥61 years (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.05-4.38) and 40-50 years (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.02-2.31) were more likely to be classified as a user of high-quality sources. When compared to trainers working in large centres, those working in outdoor settings (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.23-2.65) and medium centres (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.12-2.29) were more likely to be classified as users of high-quality sources. Our findings suggest that efforts should be made to improve the quality of knowledge acquisition among Australian fitness trainers.
authors.affiliation: Active Living and Public Health Program, Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University, PO Box 14428, Melbourne, VIC, 8001, Australia. jason.bennie@vu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jason A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bennie
authors.affiliation: Active Living and Public Health Program, Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University, PO Box 14428, Melbourne, VIC, 8001, Australia.
authors.forename: Glen H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Wiesner
authors.affiliation: Active Living and Public Health Program, Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University, PO Box 14428, Melbourne, VIC, 8001, Australia.|Department of Kinesiology, Physical Activity, Sports and Health Research Group, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jannique G Z
authors.initials: JGZ
authors.lastname: van Uffelen
authors.affiliation: Active Living and Public Health Program, Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University, PO Box 14428, Melbourne, VIC, 8001, Australia.|Faculty of Health, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Jack T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.affiliation: Active Living and Public Health Program, Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), Victoria University, PO Box 14428, Melbourne, VIC, 8001, Australia.
authors.forename: Stuart J H
authors.initials: SJH
authors.lastname: Biddle
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D020446:Fitness Centers; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Evidence-based practice; Group/gym instructors; Knowledge translation; Personal trainers