Australia’s leading exercise, fitness and sporting associations have joined forces to research, develop and implement a pre-exercise screening tool for adults to ensure Australians are receiving suitable exercise programs and advice for their current level of fitness.

Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA), Fitness Australia and Sports Medicine Australia (SMA) have jointly developed the Adult Pre-Exercise Screening System (APSS) that will now be recommended to their registrants, members, government and associated organisations.

The health and fitness industry workforce comprises of a range of professionals whose individual skills, expertise and qualifications vary. Before prescribing physical activity or exercise, it is common industry practice for providers who are administering exercise programs to screen individuals before commencing activity.

The aim of the APSS is to establish a consistent approach for pre-exercise screening and ongoing management, ensuring that clients achieve better health outcomes and sustained physical activity throughout their lifespan.

Craig Knox from Fitness Australia considers, “the joint development of the Adult Pre-Exercise Screening System is an important step in setting standards and one that will provide a range of benefits for fitness professionals and the Australian Fitness Industry. These will include a clearer process, improved practice, coordinated service delivery and most importantly, better health outcomes for clients, fulfilling the prime objective for all who are engaged in health and fitness services”.

It is expected that the recognition and use of a consistent platform for pre-exercise screening by fitness professionals, exercise physiologists, other allied health practitioners and general practitioners will greatly assist coordination of exercise service delivery. Most importantly, it is anticipated that it will improve identification of risk and subsequent client education and management.

“By improving program safety and quality assurance, the APSS seeks to increase the number of people participating in appropriate and safe long-term physical activity or exercise”. Anita Hobson-Powell, ESSA.

“Sports Medicine Australia is committed to the promotion of safe physical activity. Making it easier for exercise professionals to understand and evaluate an individual’s medical history and health conditions, and to determine their exercise capability is vital to ensure all participants are able to participate in physical activity safely. The APSS will assist individuals in receiving appropriate exercise prescription and clearer guidance in their physical activity pursuits. Sports Medicine Australia is delighted to have been a partner in this important project,” said Sports Medicine Australia Chief Executive Officer, Mr Nello Marino.

Developed by Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) with support from both Fitness Australia and Sports Medicine Australia, the supporting User Manual was funded by the Australian Government under the National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Health.

For more information or to view the APSS visit: www.essa.org.au

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Media enquiries:
Exercise & Sports Science Australia: Melanie Newton, Marketing and Communications
Phone 07 3856 5622 or melanie.newton@essa.org.au

Media interviews:
Prof Kevin Norton, 08 830 21503 or Kevin Norton Kevin.Norton@unisa.edu.au