Assessing the Effectiveness of an Educational Program in Exercise Psychology Specific for Group Exercise Instructors

Abstract

A review of certification domains and study materials for four national group fitness or aerobics instructor certifying organizations found them to be deficient in preparation of candidates in exercise psychology skills, An exercise psychology workshop was developed to address these deficiencies and was specifically designed for certified group fitness or aerobics instructors. The workshop was an overview of exercise psychology as it related to basic motivation techniques, goal setting, use of imagery, exercise anxiety, concentration, injury recovery, barriers to exercise, exercise behavior, and recognizing negative issues associated with exercise. The six-hour workshop was designed to prepare group fitness or aerobics instructors to be able to recognize and utilize exercise psychology skills when interacting with beginners to experienced exercisers to help participants achieve their fitness goals. The aerobics instructors have direct contact with more individuals engaging in exercise than any other fitness professionals in the fitness centers. The group fitness or aerobics instructors were provided with an introduction in how to use exercise psychology skills training techniques. The workshop was presented at Temple University on three separate dates, February 8th, February 22nd, and March 9th, 2014. The workshop was not approved for continuing education credits but was able to be submitted by the attendee, on a case by case basis, through each unique organization's petition process to receive educational credits toward the renewal of the certification. The certified group fitness or aerobics instructors received a booklet containing the workshop slides and handouts. They were asked to take a short Psychological Skills Assessment for Group Fitness Instructors Questionnaire prior to and at the completion of the workshop. A randomized group was selected to participate in a phone interview one month post workshop to determine the extent to which the knowledge gained was utilized and beneficial in the execution of the group exercise instruction. A total of 91 certified group fitness instructors attended the workshop and 84 participated in the study. It was found that the participants significantly increased their knowledge of exercise psychology and group fitness instruction by 52.5% by the end of the workshop. There was no overall significant difference between the three workshop groups. The feedback obtained from the evaluation of the workshop question was generally positive and offered some suggestions for future use of the workshop material. The post workshop phone interview indicated that the certified aerobics instructors who participated in the workshop were able to utilize the exercise psychology techniques covered in the workshop in conjunction with their job as a group fitness or aerobics instructor.