International News

Pictured: Art Curtis, Chair of IHRSA; Joe Moore, President of IHRSA; Jean-Ann Marnoch, Registrar, REPs UK; Stephen Gacsal, Registrar, REPs NZ; Alison O'Kane, IHRSA; Craig Knox, General Manager, Fitness Australia; Catherine Carty, Chair, REPs Ireland Board of Governors, and Richard Beddie, CEO, Fitness New Zealand.

International registrars including REPs Registrar Jean-Ann Marnoch entered into an agreement, that in turn will mean greater recognition for all REPs members, during an annual meeting held during the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) convention in San Francisco in March (2011).

The UK national occupational standards were reviewed and changed recently as were the Australian Standards.  This meant that work had to be carried out to re-map those standards to ensure that registered members from each country could still enjoy reciprocal arrangements should they wish to live and work in one of the IC REPs (International Confederation of Registers of Exercise Professionals) partner countries.

Registrars from Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Ireland agreed that the re-mapped standards would continue to support reciprocal arrangements currently in place.

The partners also agreed to register IC REPs as a formal company and IC REPs will now enjoy recognition from IHRSA, as THE International Confederation of Registers of Exercise Professionals.

REPs Registrar Jean-Ann Marnoch explains: “On a corporate level this will mean IC REPS and its member registers will gain a much higher profile which in turn will mean greater recognition for our members too. The number of Registered Exercise Professionals globally now total nearly 60,000 with a new Register in South Africa soon to increase those numbers. The cachet of this agreement will also put us Registrars in a much stronger position when it comes to lobbying key decision makers and presenting our members as highly qualified exercise professionals.”

Online REPs journal

Don’t forget you can read the latest issue of the REPs Journal on-line – perfect for when you’re on the move or to share with clients/colleagues you feel would be interested too. As well as the March edition you can also access back copies going back to September 2009 for free.

Click here to access the online journal.

Tickets now on sale for SE convention

The REPs South East Convention 2011 will be held on Wednesday, May 11th, at David Lloyd Raynes Park, in London.

This year’s convention offers a mix of theory and practical sessions, as well as key-note speaker Nick Jarvis, the creator of the New Wave Training Community. We also welcome back Dr John Searle, OBE, FIA Chief Medical Officer.

Tickets are now available via the REPs website – including early-bird discounts and advice on block bookings.

Tai Chi best to lift mood of elderly

According to the University of California the ancient Chinese discipline of Tai Chi can lift depression in older people.

Depression amongst older adults is a increasing problem, yet about half of all cases go undiagnosed and untreated.

US researchers measured the effectiveness of weekly tai chi classes along with standard depression treatment (including medication) for a group of depressed seniors. The tai chi group found greater improvement in their levels of depression along as well as reporting a better quality of life, more overall energy and increased memory and cognitive function.

“Depression can lead to serious consequences, including greater morbidity, disability, mortality and increased cost of care,” Helen Lavretsky, a UCLA professor-in-residence of psychiatry. “With tai chi, we may be able to treat these conditions without exposing them to additional medications.”

The results of the study appear in the current online edition of the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. Access the abstract by clicking this link.

Annual Meeting of International Registers

REPs Registrar Jean-Ann Marnoch met with other registrars from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and EREPs at the IHRSA Convention in San Francisco this month.

Jean-Ann explained: “Overseeing a member-based register like REPs is a fairly unique thing so it’s nice to meet up with people in the same position as me to compare notes, success stories and seek advice. It’s always interesting to understand how other registers are run and to learn from their experiences.”

 

FIA and REPs to support first Government cancer campaign

The Fitness Industry Association is working with their members to promote the first ever Government cancer campaign which raises awareness of the key signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, and prompts those with relevant symptoms to visit their GP. The campaign is first being piloted in the South West and East of England.

The FIA, and the Department of Health, are also calling on REPs registered instructors to help spread the word about the campaign and will be sending out letters to 6,000 REPs members in the pilot areas. Each letter will include a credit-card-sized information card for instructors to carry with them as an educational tool for their clients.

More than 90 per cent of people diagnosed with bowel cancer at the early stage survive for at least five years compared with only 6.6 per cent of those diagnosed at the late stage. Launched by Health Minister Paul Burstow, the ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign will initially be piloted in two regions and if successful will be rolled out across the country.

FIA members are showing posters and distributing leaflets throughout March to raise awareness of the condition amongst members and their wider families. Featuring real GPs encouraging patients to talk to them about changes in their poo, the new campaign aims to make people aware of the early signs of bowel cancer and make it easier for them to discuss this with their GP.

Health Minister Paul Burstow said: “No one likes talking about their poo – it’s embarrassing. But if we see something different and tell our GP it could save our life. Early diagnosis makes a huge difference to cancer survival rates and bowel cancer is one of the biggest killers. That’s why the ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign uses simple messages to make people aware of the early signs of bowel cancer and to give them the confidence to talk to their GP about them.”

David Stalker, Executive Director of the FIA said: “We are delighted that our industry is supporting the launch of ‘Be Clear on Cancer’. Early diagnosis is critical in order to save lives from the disease and get people back to full health and fitness as soon as possible . It’s great to see so many of our members, and REPs members, coming forward to support the campaign”

Ten thousand lives, across all cancers, could be saved each year if England matched the best cancer survival rates in Europe.

Welsh Convention Update

More than 120 REPs members travelled to Cardiff for the Register’s annual Welsh convention at the end of last month.

Keynote speakers Jamie Edwards, from Trained Brain, and Dr Darren Warburton, co-director of the Physical Activity and Chronic Disease Prevention Unit, at the University of British Columbia in Canada, inspired delegates who were then able to enjoy a hearty lunch before a series of workshops.

 

How being apple-shaped won’t keep the doctor away

Scientists are warning that even a small pot-belly can increase the risk of heart disease. According to the University of Texas large waist measurements, relative to hip size were linked to early signs of the disease. For a full report click here.

Or maybe it’s OK after all? Click here for more info