About Chair Based Exercise Leader

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.

Duration

The course runs over 3 full days with an additional assessment day. Days run from 9am to 5.30pm 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.

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.

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.

Download a CBE Course Flyer

Introduction

Chair-based exercise has been shown to have beneficial effect at maintaining or promoting independence and mobility in older people, please see the evidence base section later or view the resources. To read the evidence click here. However, if possible, seated exercise should be progressed to standing exercise to make it more functional and to improve balance and strength so that the older person can reduce their risk of falls and widen their social reach.

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.

Original Development Team

The CBE course was designed based on research by Skelton et al. in 1999 with funding from the Department of Health. The original development team consisted of Dawn Skelton, Susie Dinan, Bob Laventure and a large advisory group. For further information, read the history.

Evaluation

The Health Promotion Agency Northern Ireland published an evaluation of the CBE course in 2002 -
Click here to view

Prevention of falls in older people: the Weymouth and Portland project – use of Chair Based Exercise Leaders within the service.
nopv16n2p1416>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, describes use of CBE leaders within a service.
Allen_chair_PrimBasedFallsP_1999>Click here for pdf file

Sit Fit – East Anglian Daily Times Article 2009 EastAnglianDailyTImesarticle>Click here

A recent Chair CPD Day (Poster Advertising Example) run by LLT for Active Hastings received a very favourable evaluation from the candidates.

This training has been endorsed by REPS, Skills Active and CYQ and receives 20 CPD points.

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

The evidence behind strength, flexibility and stamina work in a chair for frailer older people is strong. A review of the published research papers on the beneficial functional and quality of life improvements following chair based exercise in frailer older people can be found here.  You can also review the evidenced based papers in the Resources section.

However, please bear in mind that, if possible, it is best to progress to standing and moving exercise as this will further improve balance, reduce risk of falls and widen social reach.

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 3 of the course, it is non-transferable and failure to take it on the due dates will incur a deferral fee. Resit costs following referral are also applicable. Please download the CBE Terms and conditions.

The full 4 day course costs £382 plus VAT (£410 + VAT from 1st April 2012) and includes all manuals, assessments and certification (LLT and CYQ).
The 2 day accelerated course, for Physiotherapists and Qualified Exercise Instructors, costs £295 plus VAT (£310 + VAT from 1st April 2012) and includes all manuals, assessments and certification (LLT and CYQ).
LLT offer a range of discounts, see if you qualify.

Refer/Defer Costs
Sign up for the practical assessments occurs on Day 2 and there are charges if you do not attend on your signed up assessment day (irrespective of reason).  Should you refer, there are resit costs:
Practical assessment resit – £50
Session plan resit – £25
Worksheets resit – £25

You can apply online, but first we ask that you ensure you have read the Eligibility Guidelines below and the statement about Medical Conditions and Learning Support Requirements first. Alternatively, download and print an
Application Form and send into the LLT Office.
View the CBE Terms and Conditions.Course dates for CBE can be viewed here. If there are no courses in your area we will initiate a course as soon as there is enough interest in an area.

Hosting a course

If you want to host a course in your area, please contact the LLT office. We do offer discounts to hosts depending on the number of applicants enrolled. A recent Chair CPD Day run by LLT for Active Hastings received a very favourable evaluation from the candidates.
View the Terms and Conditions for a CBE course host here.

Download a Host Information Pack here

Candidate Eligibility and Guidelines

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.

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

Medical Conditions and Learning Support Requirements

We encourage everyone to be responsible for their own learning. In light of this, we ask that you please inform us, at point of application, about any learning support requirements and/or medical conditions support that will help you to access our course content and learn effectively. All information will be treated confidentially and we will make reasonable adjustments to meet your needs. If you happen to have a latex allergy, for example, please tell us and we can provide a latex free theraband for your course.

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,HSC393This 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 Progress – CPD

Click here for information on our three CPD days available: CPD for Chair Based Exercise Leaders.
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.