BACKGROUND

THE TRAINING

CHAIR-BASED LEADERSHIP COURSE

THE EVIDENCE

THE QUALIFICATION & THE FUTURE

HOW TO APPLY

EVALUATION

CPD

Welcome to a continuum of training for health and exercise professionals and those interested in working with older people. The continuum was developed to increase the accessibility, consistency, safety, and effectiveness of physical activity and exercise programmes for frailer, older people.

The continuum is an evidence-based approach to ensure that exercise programmes aiming to promote independence and/or to reduce the risk of falls and injuries among older people are specific, progressive, and effective. Currently the continuum consists of Specialist Postural Stability Instructor training, Chair-based exercise and Otago Exercise Programme Leadership training and activity motivator training for peer mentors.

Professional training opportunities offered within the continuum can form an important component of a local falls prevention programme, equipping health and exercise professionals and senior peer activity motivators to work towards these national targets as well as contributing to promoting independence and quality of life.

Later Life Training developed the Chair-based Exercise Leaders Course, originally in conjunction with Leicester College.  It is with great pleasure that we announce the partnership with Northern Fitness and Education on the future delivery of this course across the UK.  Northern Fitness and Education have a reputation for 20 years of quality delivery and service on all their courses.  Further information can be found on http://www.northernfitness.co.uk/

The Chair-based Exercise Leadership course has been cross-referenced against the national occupational standards at NVQ Levels 2 and 3 in both Care and Exercise and Fitness, and is assessed by trained assessors. Staff are highly experienced practitioners and teacher trainers drawn from both Health Promotion and Exercise & Fitness backgrounds. All have attended specific training in the delivery of these programmes. Their enthusiasm, skill and commitment to this important area of work, enables people from a range of occupational backgrounds to access these programmes. Successful candidates will gain recognised certificates and, more importantly, meet the needs of the communities in which they work.

Who is it for?

The course is designed for health care professionals wishing to deliver chair-based exercise to frailer older people.   It is also appropriate for qualified exercise teachers and those holding an NVQ in Exercise and Fitness or equivalent qualification. The course can also be accessed by candidates who have no formal qualifications but have considerable experience working with older people such as care workers or physiotherapy assistants.

Entry requirements

There are no academic requirements but the candidates should have experience of working with older people.

Duration

The course runs over 4 full days with an additional assessment day. Days run from 9am to 5.15pm and candidates should make themselves available for this time. A shorter 2 day course is offered for qualified exercise teachers with assessment on the second day.

Content

The course examines the need for education and training for health care professionals in this area and considers the role of the chair-based exercise leader. It also considers the case for activity in general and chair-based exercise in particular for frailer older people. The underpinning knowledge of the changes in bones, joints, the cardio-respiratory system and nervous system are studied.   Specific conditions associated with ageing, including osteoporosis, arthritis, stroke and Parkinson's Disease and their implications for exercise are discussed.

All candidates will learn to lead a programme of 17 specific chair-based exercises with particular emphasis placed on exercise technique and safety. Candidates will have supervised opportunities to participate in chair-based sessions and develop and practice the necessary leadership skills.  

The focus of this course is to build confidence and competence to lead the 17 specific exercises. Candidates are not required to design or develop their own exercises but instead are expected to deliver precisely and competently the pre-set exercises.

Resources

All candidates will receive a manual containing underpinning theory and the practical exercises. Also, an exercise band is provided for use on the course and home practice.

Assessment - Planning, Leading and Self Evaluation

Planning
All candidates will be required to produce a full session plan from the prescribed chair-based exercises covered on the course.

Leading
All candidates will lead a group of at least five people, in five of the exercises. The practical assessment will last around 25 minutes and will include:
* Warm-up – a combination of circulation boosting exercises and a mobility or stretch exercise
* Strength Workout – 2 specific exercises plus a pelvic floor exercise

Self Evaluation
Candidates will complete a self evaluation after their practical delivery.

All these assessment requirements will be thoroughly taught on the course and numerous practice sessions are included each day.

The assessment date is designated to each course but if this is not possible arrangements can be made for candidates to be assessed on another course, although this may involve some travel. Once an assessment date is confirmed by signature on day 4 of the course, it is non-transferable and failure to take it on the due dates will incur a deferral fee.

Certification

Candidates will receive a Central YMCA Qualifications (CYQ) Certificate in Leading Chair-based Exercise. The qualification also provides 20 REPS points on the Register of Exercise Professionals.

Using the Qualification

Qualified Chair-Based Exercise Leaders will be able to set up and run sessions in care settings and nursing homes. Sessions can also be offered within community settings and at any appropriate venue. All sessions delivered should be subject to appropriate insurance cover.

NVQs

The qualification provides evidence for units at both level 2 and 3 in Health & Social Care. It is not possible to gain a complete NVQ through any of the courses in the Training Continuum, as NVQs are based on demonstrating competency over a period of time and cannot be achieved through a single assessment.

However, the content of the courses has been mapped against the units listed below and will provide some evidence of underpinning knowledge and practical competence in each of the units listed.
Level 2 - HSC26, HSC210, HSC211, HSC212, HSC215, HSC228
Level 3 - HSC330, HSC331,HSC332, HSC351,HSC393

This means that the evidence can be used towards an NVQ in Health & Social Care, but further study and assessment will be needed in order to achieve a full NVQ.

WHAT NEXT?

Having gained the qualification most candidates need time to develop the skills and gain the experience of how to interpret the knowledge gained within their own occupational setting.

Once this information has been applied and leading skills refined, many leaders seek new ideas and further challenges. A number of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) days have been devised to extend the knowledge and competence of the Chair-based Exercise Leaders.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE FULL CHAIR COURSE

As from Jan 2010 Northern Fitness & Education are running the LLT CBE courses.  To apply, please visit their website and contact them direct- click the relevant course below.

Full 4 day chair course

Short 2 day chair course for qualified fitness professionals

HOW TO PROGRESS - Continuing Professional Development (CPD) These CPD courses are run by LLT.

Later Life Training now offer 3 exciting top up training days for already qualified chair-based exercise leaders. They are designed to update knowledge and broaden the range of exercises you can deliver. This will encourage continued attendance, health benefits and enjoyment for your participants as well as motivating you and advancing your skills as an exercise leader. A summary of each day's content is listed below:

CPD Day 1: Strengthen

• A research update to allow you to assess research developments that may influence the way you deliver chair-based exercise.
• A series of practical workshops to introduce 8 new exercises including some additional strength exercises, some new stretches and most importantly, some balance exercises.
• An analysis of 3 UK models of best practice to give you more ideas and inside knowledge about how other localities run their programmes.

         This CPD day receives 7 REPs points.

CPD Day 2: Progress

• A research and practical delivery update on pelvic floor exercise to allow you to get up-to-date with physiotherapy approaches to helping prevent incontinence as we age.
• A series of practical workshops to introduce 7 new exercises including strength, flexibility and balance activities.
• A further practical workshop to advance your leading skills by improving your communication.
• An introduction to other class formats (i.e. not always setting the chairs up in a circle) to allow more variety, interaction between individuals and fun within your sessions.

CPD Day 3: Gait and Games

• Half the day is devoted to practical workshops investigating a variety of games that can easily be included in any chair-based exercise session in order to enliven and add a fun element to motivate your participants.
• The rest of the day focuses on walking; a rationale for encouraging older people to include walking in their daily lives, strategies for achieving this even at low fitness and functional levels, an analysis of safe and effective walking technique and other safety factors such as the environment, footwear and clothing.

Each CPD day costs £70 + VAT and is a stand-alone product so you can book each day separately. CPD 1 and 2 are progressive in terms of exercise difficulty so we recommend they are attended in order i.e. CPD 1 before 2. CPD 3 can be attended at any stage.

• There is no assessment (exam) associated with any of our CPD days
• You will receive a Later Life Training attendance certificate following completion of each day
• Fitness professionals will gain 7 CPD points for their REPS registration (CPD 1 only at present)
• Should you require any further information or to host a CPD day or to book a place please contact the LLT Office (click here to contact us).

Further Progression

CBE Leaders interested in undertaking training on standing strength and balance exercises for frailer older people could go on to take the Otago Exercise Programme Leadership course  or there is also the "Motivate Me!" one day course on how to effectively increase uptake and adherence to exercise in frailer older people.

More about the Level 2 status with CYQ Qualifications see http://www.cyq.org.uk/chair-based-exercise

The Health Promotion Agency Northern Ireland

http://www.healthpromotionagency.org.uk/work/training/evaluations/2002/7.htm

Camden Active Health Team

http://www.bhfactive.org.uk/areas_of_interest/afll/downloads/presentations/

CaseStudies/TunbridgeSE/CamdenOlderPeopleProgramme.pdf

The Hayward Unit Falls Rehabilitation Programme Protocol

Click here for pdf file

Prevention of falls in older people: the Weymouth and Portland project

Click here for pdf file

A Primary Care based falls prevention programme - paper published in Physiotherapy Theory and Practice in 1999 by Alison Allen and Janet Simpson. 

Click here for pdf file