"I wish I had this book
when I was in graduate school!" Ellington
Darden, Ph.D.
Scientific
Inquiry for Fitness Clinicians
Click Here to add Scientific Inquiry PDF Email to shopping cart
Click Here to add Scientific Inquiry PDF CD to shopping cart
 This book
explores the concepts of inquiry and scientific investigation,
the differences between memorization and understanding,
the principles of the Scientific Method, problem-solving strategies,
and how all this fits into the realm of the fitness professional
and case study planning/management. A book that has long been
in need within an industry that is rife with irresponsibility
and lack of professionalism, a must read for any personal trainer
who takes his or her job seriously in the fields of exercise
science and health care.
"Damned good stuff!" Drew Baye
The
Major Weakness in the Fitness Industry
Low quality standards in the fitness industry,
as a result of educators 'selling out' for bigger profits, has
resulted in low quality standards among most fitness professionals.
One needs to understand and appreciate proper teaching and learning
methods, what scientific inquiry means and how to do it, making
observations, forming hypotheses, explaining through evidence,
and analyzing and interpreting data. These are basic concepts
that we learn, but soon forget after grade school, when learning
simple experiments. These are the basic concepts that scientists
must employ, and which fitness professionals need to grasp in
order to conduct their jobs properly.
Applying
the Inquiring Mind
To be accountable and scientific, one must
think scientifically, i.e, objectively. This means having independent
thought, impartiality, elimination of emotions with consistency
and integration of concepts, being able to refine without oversimplification,
and having standards of quality practice. In fact, years ago
it was 'standard' for any scientist to explain his or her frame
of reference within a study in which they were a part. Today
that has disappeared since researchers do not want to disclose
their biases and frailties in an industry as politically driven
as exercise.
The
Scientific Method
There are several ways in which to investigate
and discover; one is 'the scientific method.' When working with
a client (or to discover an ideal program for yourself), you
need to determine the problem, such as "I want to reduce
body fat." You then need to research information, resources,
and previous experiences to determine methods, the measure of
reduction, etc. Next, a hypothesis is developed as to what can
be done, in what time frame, and the potential end results, based
on supporting information sources or research/application conducted
beforehand. Then the experiment is conducted (e.g., a particular
nutrition and exercise plan), followed by an assessment at a
particular point to determine the success of the hypothesis.
Certainly many of these steps are performed, even if the fitness
professional is unaware of such, but what is lacking is structure
and accountability.
Client
Case Study Development and Management
Most personal trainers write down sets,
reps, progress in lifting, changes in assessed data, etc., but
with no real direction or accountability for their actions. This
is what we have come to expect, but which is flawed seriously
when compared to true scientific investigation. Personal trainers
need to develop and manage client case studies appropriately,
and that includes:
- Problem identification
- Hypothesizing
- Predicting and establishing a course of
action by generating possible solutions (and backup plans in
the event of miscalculation)
- Solution implementation
- Applying known and proven methods of problem
solving
Data
Collection & Evaluation is Key!
Did you know there are at least 36 things
that can be measured and evaluated, such as VO2max, blood
pressure, body composition, joint ranges of motion, repetitions,
tension time, heart rate, motivational factors, kcal intake,
sleep patterns, etc. Making appropriate changes to an exercise
plan means tracking as many of these variables as possible and
comparing them to the intended outcomes relative to a person's
needs, goals, abilities, and limitations. There is no easy way
around this, and being a Fitness Clinician requires
full accountability in data collection and evaluation within
a structured case study report. Learn these procedures today,
and set yourself apart from the 'personal trainers.'
Scientific Inquiry is $25 Canadian,
emailed to you directly. No refunds on PDF books. Make certain
your email provider can accept this file at 4.25 megs.
Click Here to add Scientific Inquiry PDF Email to shopping cart
Click Here to add Scientific Inquiry PDF CD to shopping cart
Click here for Table
of Contents and FREE book excerpts (PDF)
Earn Reward Points: Spend $1,000 (excluding shipping
costs) and receive a FREE one-hour consultation with the President
of the I.A.R.T., a $100 value (long distance charges apply outside
continental North America).
|
Individual IART Book titles in PDF Over
30 books to choose from with no shipping charges or on CD. 
IART DVDs Training
Technique and Instruction. 
