NCEF National Fitness News Ezine May 2014 by National Council for Exercise & Fitness (NCEF)

Spring 2014, Issue 2

Scholarship

From the Directors Chair Welcome to the summer issue of National Fitness News Ezine 2014. As always strive for the highest possible standards in your work as a fitness professional – never sacrifice quantity and commercialism for excellence and quality in your work.

Noreen O Connell writes on the hugely important and unique Special Olympics National Games being hosted by the University of Limerick for the second time. For those of you who may have been involved at any stage with the special Olympics you will understand what an amazing experience it is and for those who may not have had the opportunity in the past to be involved I would encourage you to volunteer next time round or to come and watch words cannot really justify what an incredibly positive experience it can be. Fiona Corbett provides an informative and interesting book review on quitting sugar providing lots of food for thought as you delve into the feature article on Diabetes. The Institute of Public Health report there is an estimated 143,000+ people in Ireland with Diabetes and these figures are on the increase. Figures are estimated however all indications are that type 2 diabetes is seriously increasing in Ireland. As Fitness professionals it is so important to be aware of signs and symptoms,

ensure your Occupational First Aid certificate is up to date and that you know how to deal with your clients should they display and of signs and symptoms. You will find information and insights into NCEF courses from student and graduates perspective taking into consideration what one might do to prepare for a course, how to apply oneself during the course and most importantly what comes after graduation. How can you put your newly acquired skills to work for you and enhance the service you offer to your clients and the public? Finally - my sincere thanks to all the NCEF team, including co-ordinators, tutors and head office administration staff for their continued dedication to the NCEF and most importantly to you the students and graduates. Welcome on board to two new staff members in Head office Sarah, who has produced this edition of NFN Ezine and Fiona who has contributed, both are without hesitation assets to the team . I hope you enjoy this edition and we welcome your feedback and suggestions at all times Enjoy summer 2014 Áine Áine Ní Chonaill Managing Director, NCEF

From the Editors Chair

Welcome to the second issue of National Fitness News Ezine for 2014.

If adding to your qualifications is one of your goals for this year, then the NCEF has many specialist courses on offer.

This issue is jam-packed with ideas and suggestions as to how you can enhance and effectively develop as a fitness professional. The NCEF Sports Scholarship programme is an athlete led development programme, which rewards individual excellence and encourages outstanding performance in a variety of sports. The scholarship is open to applicants who apply for entry on to the Higher Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness (HCEHF)

Please visit our website for information on all course options. A reminder for those who meet the entry requirements for the Diploma in Exercise & Health Fitness (DEHF), this course will be offered in September 2014 and we are currently accepting applications. Finally, I would like to wish you all a very healthy & happy summer. I would like to personally thank Áine Ni Chonaill & Damien Jackson for all the motivation given to me in preparing my first Ezine . Sarah NFN Editor

Paul Clarke provides an interesting Research article on sports technology and GPS applications. Their sports GPS has helped coaches, athletes and sports scientists understand better what they need to do daily to drive great performance.

Keep up to date with all the NCEF news, courses and events Like us on Facebook NCEF.Organisation National Fitness E-News 2

27 Table of Contents 4

News Room

Graduates Gallery

Health News

Nutrition

Features 6

Diabetes By John Kelly

NCEF Sports Spcholarship

I Quit Sugar - Book Review By Fiona Corbett

Special Olympics By Noreen O Connell

The Strength to Recover By Linda Gaynor

15 23

A Students Perspective: Pilates By Maura O Sullivan Ryan

Business: Continuous Professional Development By Kenneth Buchholtz

Boxercise

Fitness Professionals Ireland (FPI)

Regulars 15

Research: Sports Technology and GPS Application By Paul Clark Mind Body: Spirit Connection By Anna Gibson Steel

NCEF MISSION STATEMENT To promote the highest standards possible in the preparation of Exercise & Health Fitness Professionals through a sound professional education and training structure that meets the changing needs of the Health Fitness Leisure Industry and promotes healthy and active lifestyles.

NFN is an e-zine published by the National Council for Exercise & Fitness (NCEF). The opinions and views in the publication are those of the contributors and are not necessarily shared by the NCEF. While every care is taken to ensure accuracy in the compilation of this e-zine, NCEF cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions or effects arising thereof. However, such errors or omissions may be brought to the attention of the Editor. All material is copyrighted.

NCEF Management & Administration Team UL Summer Conferring Ceremony

The NCEF team would like to congratulate Maeve, Malcolm and big sister Ruby on the arrival of baby Harry.

August 2014 in the University of Limerick This applies to the cohort of students from 2013/2014 who successfully received their official University of Limerick results in June 2014. For further information on times, gown collection, photography and guest pack, please click on the link below:

http://www2.ul.ie/web/WWW/Administration/Ceremonies/ Graduate_Conferring's/Information_for_Graduands

University of Limerick Sports Hall of Fame The NCEF would like to congratulate Derek Mackessy on his fantastic achievement. On the 4th May Derek completed his 28th marathon (27 official), in doing so he has reached the first step on the ladder in the 100 marathon club awards. Derek received the coveted bronze medal for having completed 25 marathons.

Above: Derek Mackessy National Fitness E-News 4

Students from 2012/2013 who successfully received their official University of Limerick results in August 2014. The graduates came from Limerick, Dublin, Cork and Waterford.

Diabetes can be tough to diagnose—and even tougher to treat. For many people, the early signs and symptoms of diabetes are so subtle that they don't seek treatment until the disease has reached later stages. Consider this a crash course in what causes diabetes, the warning signs that you may be developing it—and the terrible impact it can have on your health, if it's not controlled.

WHAT CAUSES DIABETES? Diabetes is caused by a problem in the way your body makes or uses insulin. Insulin is needed to move glucose (blood sugar) into cells, where it is used for energy. If glucose does not get into the cells, the body cannot use it for energy. Too much glucose will stay in the blood, which leads to high blood sugar, and can wreak havoc with other parts of your body, damaging your kidneys, heart, eyes and other organs. To understand it more check out the video link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae_jC4FDOUc The imbalance can be caused by problems with your pancreas, the organ that creates the insulin—or it can be that your pancreas works just fine, but your body fails to use the insulin to manage your sugar level, a condition called insulin resistance. There are a number of factors that can determine whether you'll develop diabetes. Some you can control, like your weight, diet, and your activity level, while others, like family history, genetics, and age, you can't. Here's a rundown of the factors that could determine your diabetes risk level.

Genes If your parents or grandparents developed diabetes, or if you're African-American, Native American or Hispanic American, you're more at risk than people who don't have these risk factors. But even if all of your immediate family developed diabetes, you aren't destined to get it. Staying healthy and fit can go a long way toward ensuring your reducing your risk of developing diabetes.

Diet

with your Fitness instructor to learn how much fat, protein and carbohydrates you need in your diet.

Age As you get older your body begins to work less efficiently, you become more at risk for developing diabetes. The risk of developing diabetes starts at the age 45, and grows even faster after age 65.

Weight Carrying excess weight puts a strain on all the systems in your body—and can make it more likely that you develop insulin resistance, diabetes symptoms or, worse, diabetes itself. While being overweight can be a risk factor, people who are considered obese (a body mass index over 30) are even more at risk.

Activity Level Here's another reason to get up off the couch and get moving—a sedentary lifestyle puts you more at risk for diabetes. Regular exercise helps control the amount of glucose in the blood. It also helps burn excess calories and fat so you can manage your weight. Exercise can help your overall health by improving blood flow and blood pressure, and decreasing insulin resistance even without weight loss.

Health Status If you have other chronic health problems, including high blood pressure and high triglyceride levels, http://www.irishheart.ie/iopen24/triglycerides-t-7_19_79.html that may put you more at risk of developing diabetes—especially if those other health problems aren't being kept under control.

Gestational Diabetes Many women with gestational diabetes develop diabetes within 5 to 10 years after delivery. The risk may be increased in obese women. http://www.diabetes.ie/living-with-diabetes/pregnancy-anddiabetes/what-is-gestational-diabetes/

Junk food trashes your body—and increases the odds that you'll develop diabetes. Avoid foods that are high in sugars, cholesterol and fats, and alcoholic beverages, to help cut your risk of developing diabetes. You should work closely National Fitness E-News 6

DIABETES SYMPTOMS The symptoms of type 2 diabetes are often so subtle, you may not notice them at all. If you're at risk for developing diabetes, keep an eye out for these warning signs of diabetes.

Erectile Dysfunction Diabetes is a common cause of erection problems. The exercise and healthy diet required by diabetes can help maintain good circulation.

Frequent Urination If you find yourself making frequent pit stops or waking up often to use the bathroom, it could be one of the warning signs of diabetes your body may be trying to get rid of the excess glucose through your urine.

Extreme Hunger and Thirst Are you always hungry and thirsty? Diabetes could be to blame. You may feel more thirsty because your body is producing more urine to try to shed excess glucose and more hungry because the diabetes is keeping your body from utilizing the food you eat as energy for your cells, and so your body signals for more.

Unusual Weight Loss If you still keep losing weight no matter how much you eat it could be one of the warning signs of diabetes.

Extreme Fatigue One of the symptoms of diabetes includes Dehydration, which is caused by frequent urination and your body's inability to turn the glucose you eat into energy. This can be a double whammy that causes you to feel tired all the time too.

Frequent, Slow-Healing Infections The jury's still out on why it happens, but people with diabetes or even just diabetes symptoms often are more prone to infections, especially of the skin, gums and bladder. Experts believe that spiking blood sugar levels can impede your body's healing processes, and weaken your immune system.

Blurred Vision If your vision starts to blur, it may not be time for a new prescription or stronger reading glasses. The excess blood sugar in your body could be pulling fluid from your eyes, making it more difficult for them to focus.

Tingling or Numbness in Your Hands and Feet If you start to experience tingling in your extremities, see your doctor right away this could be a result of nerve damage brought on by the high blood sugar.

EFFECTS OF DIABETES If you have diabetes, making changes to your diet and fitness level, following your Doctors instructions and taking the prescribed medications, given to you, this can go a long way toward keeping you healthy. But if your diabetes progresses out of control, you can put yourself at risk for serious and even fatal complications. Here's what you might face with diabetes.

Coronary Artery Disease High blood sugar can damage your arteries and make them more prone to hardening (called artherosclerosis) that can lead to high blood pressure and an increased likelihood of a heart attack and stroke. And because diabetes and heart disease share many of the same risk factors such as obesity they often go hand in hand. You may be put on medications to help keep your blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg, and help decrease your chances of developing heart disease.

Nerve Damage If your blood sugar stays high, it can damage your nerves, particularly in your hands and feet. That means you may not feel injuries or pain in your extremities and an infection or injury may even progress to the point where the limb may need to be amputated.

A FE

Kidney Damage Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease and kidney failure in the U.S. It often starts slowly, as minute amounts of a blood protein, called albumin, start to leak through the kidney filters into the urine. As the kidney disease gets worse, more protein leaks into the urine, and the kidney's filtration system begins to shut down, leaving more and more waste in the bloodstream and the body. This can lead to higher blood pressure and to kidney failure, which would require a transplant or dialysis to overcome.

Eye Damage The high blood sugar and high blood pressure that come with diabetes can wreak havoc with your eyes. It can cause damage to the tiny blood vessels in the retina, allowing them to leak into your eye and block light from reaching your retina. That creates dark spots or even completely darkened visionâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and it can even cause the retina to detach, requiring surgery. This is called diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes also makes it more likely that you might develop cataracts and glaucoma, two conditions that can damage your eyesight.

Infections of the Skin, Female Genital Tract, and Urinary Tract People who have diabetes are at increased risk for many types of infections. High blood sugar levels promote the growth of bacteria and fungi and also hamper the immune system's ability to fight off infection. Gum, bladder and skin infections are common. Foot infections sometimes become severe and require amputation.

Peripheral Vascular Disease

Source: John Kelly First Aid & Medical Training Services www.firstaidservices.ie First Aid & Medical Training Services was established by Denise and John Kelly in 1991. Our aim is to provide top class training in all areas of Manual Handling and First Aid, and to specialise in the area of Occupation First Aid, CPR and AED. Courses: FETAC Level 5 *Occupational First Aid *Certificate in Pediatric First Aid *Refresher Occupational First Aid Courses *Cardiac First Response Courses *Emergency First Aid Courses *Manual and Patient Handling Courses

Chronic high blood sugar levels damage the inner lining of blood vessels. This encourages the build up of fatty materials that affect blood flow and cause the blood vessels to harden. This can make a heart attack or stroke more likely. For more information, please check out: http://www.diabetes.ie National Fitness E-News 8

The term heart disease covers a number of conditions including coronary artery disease, heart attacks and heart failure, among others. The good news is that heart disease is preventable and there are a number of simple ways to keep ourselves healthy for years to come. You Are What You Eat A heart-healthy diet can be delicious and simple to follow. Eating healthy doesn’t mean dieting; rather, it’s about incorporating better choices each day, which may also help you reach and maintain a healthy weight. A little nutrient know-how is important and a great place to start is the nutrition label. Many of us think we know what we’re eating until we actually look at the nutritional information. Making heart-healthy food choices means that we need to pay attention to portion size per serving, saturated fat, fiber and sodium. Portions in Proportion Being aware of what constitutes a portion can help you maintain a balanced diet while managing your weight. The USDA’s ChooseMyPlate program can help you choose correct portion sizes in proportion to the various food groups. This program emphasizes the importance of incorporating more fruits and vegetables to help you fill up on fewer calories and consume vital nutrients that play an important role in regulating blood pressure.

Sodium: A Salty Subject Most of us should consume around 1,500 mg of sodium each day. Unfortunately, the typical American diet contains about three times that amount and it’s not necessarily from being heavy-handed with the salt shaker. We consume a majority of our sodium from ready-prepared, processed and restaurant foods. Lowering sodium intake can help keep our blood pressure under control. Get Moving Increasing physical activity while reducing sedentary behaviours is an effective way to lower your cardiovascular risk factors. The U.S. Surgeon General recommends that most adults should include at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week. If you’re currently sedentary and your doctor feels it’s safe for you to do so, begin by slowly incorporating more activity into your daily life. This doesn’t mean you have to hit the gym every day, but with a little regular physical activity you’ll find it easier to control your weight and reduce hunger, while also decreasing your risk of chronic dis ease.

The Fat Trap Not all fats are created equal. Saturated fat (mostly from animal origin) should be kept to no more than 10 percent of total calories. Similarly, trans fats, which are typically added to a processed-food product to extend its shelf-life, should be consumed minimally, if at all. These fats are found mostly in the form of partially hydrogenated oils and should ideally be replaced with healthier mono- or polyunsaturated sources typically found in olive, canola and sunflower oil or in foods such as avocados, nuts and seeds.

If you find yourself struggling to sneak in exercise altogether, here’s some food for thought: Your Friend Fiber Choose fiber-rich foods including plenty of whole grains, fruits and veggies. Aim for breads and cereals that have a minimum of 3 or more grams of fiber per serving. Oat bran, found in certain cereals and abundantly in old-fashioned oatmeal, is a wonderful addition to any breakfast lineup as this particular fiber is especially helpful in lowering LDL (“bad cholesterol”) levels.

Find Your Passion When we find an exercise that’s enjoyable, we’re more likely to work it into our busy schedule. So find an activity that interests you and go for it. Prioritise Make certain that you treat yourself as well as you do those around you. Oftentimes our lives are filled with “have to do’s” and deadlines that seem to take the focus off our own needs. Make sure your personal health is up there on your priority list. Seek Opportunities Look for ways to be active. Whether that means parking farther from a building entrance, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or even leaving your car at home altogether to run an errand in your neighbourhood—it all adds up.

Source: Acefitness.org

NCEF SPORTS SCHOLARSHIP

The NCEF Sports Scholarship programme is an athlete led development programme, which rewards individual excellence and encourages outstanding performance in a variety of sports. The scholarship is open to applicants who apply for entry on to the Higher Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness (HCEHF) - Autumn Semester. A two year full time programme accredited by the University of Limerick, NFQ Level6 (Major), EFQ Level 5. All sports are considered. For eligibility, application form and further information, please contact the NCEF Head Office at ncef@ul.ie ***CANVASSING WILL DISQUALIFY YOUR APPLICATION***

Applications close Friday 27th June 2014 Further information is available at www.ncefinfo.com

National Fitness E-News 10

On 1st October 2013, the National Council for Exercise & Fitness (NCEF) announced the recipient of the NCEF Sports Scholarship Programme, having been selected from a high calibre of sporting applicants. Eighteen year old Conor Glynn from Thomondgate in Limerick is former captain of Ard Scoíl Rís Senior Rugby Cup Team and a player with Shannon RFC since 2006. He has represented Munster at Under 20, Under 19 and Under 18 level. He was a member of the Munster Rugby Talent Identification Squad and has progressed to the Munster Rugby Sub Academy. Conor commenced the two year – Higher Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness (HCEHF), at the University of Limerick last October. Why did you apply for the scholarship?

I applied for the scholarship because I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to represent something I'm passionate about, when I first heard about the course I was thrilled that I found a course that catered for everything I want to do, so the scholarship was a real bonus.

Do you genuinely see it as a win win? It is without doubt a win win situation, not only do you receive financial support, you are seen as a valuable member of the NCEF and they trust you to always be an ambassador for the course. The course balances so well with my rugby training and when I'm not training I'm not left bored like the rest of my team mates. I am straight into the action of the NCEF which keeps me on my toes. Did you benefit for the scholarship and has the NCEF benefited from you? I have definitely benefited from the scholarship, it has been a real whirlwind year and I have seen great benefits from it. To he honest I'll never have done enough for the NCEF, I try my best to be a real ambassador for the course outside of college and I hope I'm sending a good message about the course to my peers and others.

What are your career/ education aspirations? I expected to be overwhelmed with new information and I hoped I would benefit massively from all the modules. I expected some to be tedious and others to come natural to me, which was certainly the case. I had great appreciation for the knowledge the lecturers/ tutors had in their chosen modules and I was surprised by the passion they had for their modules. Describe your scholarship experience?

It's been great, I've had loads of new experiences from writing weekly blogs, being involved in open days and spreading the good word about the NCEF, I also had an interview with the limerick leader about how I balance the rugby and college so it really has been a great experience. Would you recommend others to consider scholarship Yes, to be regarded as a scholarship student in anything is a real honour, I feel anyone who would like to apply should definitely do it.

The NCEF would like to thank Conor for completing this interview and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

NCEF SPORTS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME Aidan Shanahan PICP LEVEL 2, NASM CPT The NCEF Sports Scholarship programme is an athlete led developmentSPORTS programme, THERAPIST

which rewards individual excellence and encourages outstanding performance in a variety of sports, while completing a course of academic study. CATEGORIES Sport: One Sporting Scholarship per academic year is offered to a student who is accepted on to the Higher Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness (HCEHF) – Autumn Registered, Two Year Full-time programme at the University of Limerick.

Step 3 - Offers: Following the interview stage, placement offers will be made to successful applicants. These applicants will be expected to achieve certain subject and grade requirements for their programme.

Applicants should have outstanding ability in a particular sport. SCHOLARSHIP VALUE Year 1: €2695.00 Year 2: €2695.00 Total: €5390.00 ( Provisional Fees) TYPES Applications will be considered from: Prospective students – at entry Level GENERAL CRITERIA 1. All applicants must satisfy the entry requirements for the Higher Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness (HCEHF). 2. Applicants must demonstrate outstanding ability in their named sport. 3. The Scholarship recipient shall agree to the *Terms and Conditions of the scholarship.

NCEF Graduates

Selection Committee 1. NCEF Representation 2. Independent Representation

APPLICATION PROCESS Timescale Applications will be accepted on an individual basis.

Closing date for applications is 27/06/2014

Interviews week commencing 01/09/2014

Step 1 - Application: Students complete the NCEF Sports Scholarship Application Form and all necessary accompanying documentation. Step 2 - Interview: The applications are reviewed by the NCEF Selection Committee and suitable candidates are selected for interview. Students who progress to the interview stage are notified in writing and informed of the time, venue, date and panel membership.

NCEF Head Office, PESS Building, University of Limerick, Limerick T: 061 202829 E: ncef@ul.ie

National Fitness E-News 12

Accredited by the University of Limerick

The Higher Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness (HCEHF) is a two year full time undergraduate programme of study. The HCEHF forms year 1 & 2 of the B.Sc Degree in Exercise and Health Fitness. The Higher Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness (HCEHF) is NFQ Level 6 Major Award and is awarded 120 ECTS credits (60ECTS per academic year). The course provides a unique structure through which the course participant can access from a basic level of second level education into a Higher Certificate in Exercise and Fitness. Once training has been completed NCEF/UL graduates can choose from a range of excellent employment opportunities. These include working in gyms, community facilities, hotel leisure centres, and cruise ships. Many NCEF/UL graduates work on a freelance basis or are owner/operators of their own fitness facility. Year 1: Students who successfully complete year one are educated and trained to provide instruction in exercise to music, step aerobics, circuit and resistance training. Equally important is their ability to assess fitness levels and to plan safe, effective and enjoyable exercise programmes for individuals or groups of all abilities. Recognition:

Year 2: Students can elect courses from specialist modules. You must ■ The HCEHF is a standalone qualification and is award accumulate 60 ECTS Credits. ed by the University of Limerick. This provides our students with the opportunity for specialisation within the exercise and fitness industry in areas such as ■ 60 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) towards the Diploma/B.Sc. in Exercise & Health Fitness through a flexible learning pathway. ■ Levels 6 National Qualifications Framework (NQF). ■ Levels 5 European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

Full details on entry requirements, course content and fees are available by clicking here

· · · · · · · ·

Personal Training Strength & Conditioning for Teams Pilates & Corrective Exercise Active Aging for the Older Adult Fit for Life Management Studio Cycling (Spinning) Facility Operations Health Related Activity for Children

Staying hydrated during exercise will help you achieve maximum results from your workout while protecting your overall health. Alternatively, dehydration can mar your performance. Drinking enough fluid—and the right kind of fluid—before, during, and after working out replaces fluid (and possibly electrolytes) naturally lost with sweating. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers for fluid and hydration Why do I need to stay hydrated? Exercise raises body temperature. If you’re working out in a warm or hot environment, and depending upon the type of clothing you’re wearing, you may experience a significantly elevated body temperature resulting in greater losses of fluid and electrolytes. The body sweats as a self-cooling mechanism. Additionally, proper hydration helps prevent muscle cramps and promotes recovery after your workout. How much fluid do I need each day? Fluid needs vary widely, and those needs depend upon present weight and height, biological sex, health status, activity level, and ambient temperature. With that, you have likely heard that each person should drink 8 glasses of water a day. The genesis of this advice is uncertain. Furthermore, the advice is irrelevant for many individuals and incorrect for serious athletes and others who engage in endurance training. The Adequate Intake (AI) for the average, healthy person for water is 16 cups daily for males and 12 cups daily for females. On the other hand, someone exercising vigorously for sustained periods of time might need several additional cups of water to stay hydrated.

How do I stay hydrated for exercise? Regardless of how much you actually sweat, it is advised that you avoid losing more than 2% of your pre-exercise body weight during exercise. Plan to drink before, during, and after exercise—especially if engaging in sustained vigorous activity. Also add plenty of fruits and vegetables to your diet. These contain water that counts toward your daily goals. Before exercise: Two hours before the activity, drink 2 cups or 14-22 ounces. During the workout: Every 15-20 minutes, consume 6-12 ounces. After exercise: Finally, once your session is complete, replace fluid by having 16-24 ounces for every pound of body weight lost. What about electrolytes and sports drinks? We lose electrolytes in our sweat during exercise. To stay on top of electrolyte losses, experts recommend that athletes consume a sports drink that contains about 0.5-0.7 gram per liter of sodium and 0.8-2 gram per liter of potassium during exercise that lasts over two hours. A Registered Dietitian or a Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics can assess your unique needs and provide you with personalized guidance. Source: https://easacademy.org/client-resources/client handouts

National Fitness E-News 14

A E ES

Have you watched some GAA, rugby, rugby league and soccer matches lately and wondered what the little bulge was between the player’s shoulders?? Wondered why the players are wearing what looks like a sports-bra over their training tops?? Wonder no more. GPS technology has been in sport for a few years now and in the recent past has filtered down from a piece of sports science technology used by the topend elite teams to a more common-place training tool that more and more team and individual athletes are gaining the benefit of. So what exactly is GPS and where does it come from? Sports GPS systems have their genesis in the forms of GPS technology used by the military in the 60s and 70s that allowed them plot their way around the combat zone and to plot where their resources etc were positioned. This top secret technology was released for civil use in the early 1980s courtesy of US President Ronald Reagan following a commercial airline accident. From here the technology gained traction in many applications from everyday navigation in airlines right to what we use in cars today. Along the way the applications in a sporting context became very clear…a tool that could allow us a deeper understanding of performance and performance demands. Our sports GPS, VX Sport (www.vxsport.com), came to market in 2008 and has enjoyed resounding success since and has helped coaches, athletes and sports scientists understand better what they need to do daily to drive great performance. What if you were able to accurately tell how far, how fast, how often and with what power outputs you trained or played today?? Would this help inform a more specific and thorough training regimen? Well, many athletes and teams we work with today are rigorous in measuring what they do in both training and performance in order to understand better what physical demands they are under and therefore plan their training and preparation accordingly. We can really see the value in this if we replace the word “training” with “practice”. As you know, practice makes permanent and so we can begin to see our daily efforts in a different light. What if we are training/practicing in a way that is not in keeping with the demands of our sport and competitive performance?? Will our preparations allow us to be ready for the worst case scenario on the big day?? Sadly the answer time and again is a resounding no. In many cases teams, players and athletes can land to the big day in a state best described as under-cooked; the have worked hard but not smart.

Equally, we have witnessed many who have gone into their competitive performance over-cooked and have actually left their performance on the training field. But does coaching experience and many years of playing experience not intuitively tell us this anyway? This is a very valid question that we get quite a bit. Of course experience is hugely valuable….but even experience needs to be validated. Let’s be clear…..GPS in sport is a tool in the tool-box of the athlete and those preparing a team. It is not something that is supposed to take over and become a device that rights all the wrongs in the world. Used properly the (very accurate) information accrued will allow all the coaches and medical people dealing with a team/athlete/player to truly become a well-informed performance team who can have incisive conversations based on accurate data and then make decisive performance related decisions based on this data.

R A E S E

In the early stages of adapting VX Sport into their preparation armoury we advised a very prominent hurling team to focus initially on a simple activity such as monitoring their warm-up. In advance of a match we monitored with them we asked the coaches and trainer to guess as to how far the guys were running in the warm-up. The answers ranged from 1km to 2.5 km. In fact the players were doing close to 3.5km!!! The team had a habit of starting slowly in matches and we advised the wider performance team that they might be able to address this by altering their warmup. On our advice they devised a new warm-up in the region of 1.5 km with the right level of intensity. Players felt better and more fresh and consequently performances in the first ten minutes improved. In the training/practice environment our system can come really into its own in terms of monitoring training loads. This is hugely important in both team and individual sports so that the athletes/players are adequately prepared but are not experiencing the effects of over-training….poor performance and, at worst, injury. GPS has benefited many teams and individual athletes across a wide range of sports to understand and measure what they are doing in training and so manage the workload accordingly and in a manner best fitting the principles of periodisation. One rugby team who use the technology every day predominantly use the devices to measure the effects of their training games and drills so that they have now developed a virtual library of games and drill that they have quantified in terms of volume, intensity and overall outputs as well as having inputs from the technical coaches as to the design of these games so that the technical and tactical aspects are catered for also. This has led them to a place where they can accurately plan training mindful of the upcoming demands on players, other performance metrics, upcoming matches and the period of the season. A real performance solution. One of the other key benefits that those involved with training athletes is that they can get in ahead of injury. Make no mistake , the team and athlete that brings that injury rates down stand a far better chance of success. Many teams that we work with have enjoyed lesser injury rates by virtue of being able to plan precisely for the demands of the game rather than what people “think” happens in games. Equally, athletes involved in solo sports have been saved from themselves on occasion. These guys and girls in sports such as athletics, cycling, water-sports and across the range of adventure sports have benefited greatly by investing in a system that allows them to see exactly what their outputs are and, courtesy of integration with Google Earth, to see exactly where and at what speeds etc their performance took place. This tool has also become a key visual coaching tool in team sports and has allowed coaches to get their points across in a more timely and easy-to-understand manner.

Many times we come across resistance to GPS technology and it’s introduction to a particular sport or discipline. However, my answer to this is that the real beauty of GPS in sport is not only does it give you some good answers to your questions but that it also prompts some great questions from the wider performance team and the players. The race for perfection in performance is a race that is long running……better and deeper levels of understanding will take us closer to where we want to be but so too will breaking the new ground encouraged by the inquisitive minds among the growing population of young fitness coaches, strength and conditioning people and sports scientists. Plenty of time and effort goes into training. practice and preparation……athletes, teams and players deserve the best chance of success. This will only be helped by engaging in smart, focused training and practice……the best athletes and teams in the world of sport all can’t be wrong, can they??

Championship V New York, Gaelic Park, NY VX Sport GPS (www.vxsport.com) is a sports performance solution that is used by many of sports leading teams such as the All-Blacks, Racing Metro, England Cricket, Red Bull adventure sports and a host of other top teams and individual athletes in Ireland, UK and globally. There are three tiers of system to cater for sports-people and teams with varying levels of needs; right from the solo amateur athlete up to the teams and athletes competing at the highest level. Irish sports technology company Redback Biotek (www.redbackbiotek.com) are master agents in Ireland and Europe for the technology which is widely and independently regarded as being the most accurate, reliable and best value for money in the sports market today.

Paul Clarke VX Sport GPS Performance Solutions (Ireland and Europe) Redback Biotek - Helping you transform your performance Cutting Edge Technology For Elite Athletes and the Biomedical Sciences Web: www.redbackbiotek.com

National Fitness E-News 16

Caroline Coleman completed the CEHF and went on to successfully complete the NCEF Specialist Course in Personal Training,

You completed the Personal Training programme. How did this experience benefit you in your career path? The Personal Trainer course allows you to expand on the knowledge and skills gained during the CEHF course. It equips you with the tools necessary to confidently and competently train the wide variety of people you will come into contact with as an instructor/ personal trainer.

How do you stay proactive and what motivates you to keep going? My own personal journey into fitness motivates me to keep learning & growing as a fitness professional. Four years ago I was very overweight, very unfit and was quickly losing confidence, having failed to stick to any exercise plan for any length of time. Then I came into contact with Ken Buckley and his team and from the first session I was hooked. It was challenging but so much fun and I was made feel like anything and everything was possible, regardless of my fitness levels! I’ve never forgotten how I used to feel back then and am an example of just how positively a good trainer can affect their clients over all well being. This drives me to stay proactive by continuing to study and striving to be the best I can be for each of my own clients.

What are your career/ education aspirations? How would you see your involvement in the fitness industry five years from now? My background is in fitness and my passion is Strength & Conditioning and CrossFit training. I have trained under the guidance of Ken Buckley, who is an NCEF Tutor and a CrossFit Trainer, at http://www.bodyfitextreme.com/ for the last four years and I am a qualified CrossFit Trainer & CrossFit Kids trainer. As well as building on my CrossFit qualifications I plan to work my way towards completing the B.Sc.in Exercise & Health Fitness with the NCEF using their Flexible Learning pathway.

How has the knowledge you gained on the NCEF courses attributed to the success of your business?

I come into contact with a wide variety of people of varying ages and health & fitness levels on a daily basis, all of whom have their own goals they wish to achieve. The Personal training course enhances your skills as an instructor so you can offer a more specialised service that meets each client’s individual needs. What is your current role within the Exercise & Health Fitness industry? What are your main responsibilities? I currently teach classes offering a variety of circuits, body conditioning, step aerobics, resistance training, boot camp drills and kettle bells, to name a few. I am responsible for all aspects of every class from programming to teaching, ensuring each client receives a safe, effective and fun exercise experience. I also offer one to one training services and can be contacted at carolinec1948@gmail.com

The thing I love about the fitness industry is that it is ever changing and you will never reach a point where you know it all. Five years from now I plan to be more established within the fitness industry while still enjoying learning about whatever new developments may lie ahead. I come from a teaching background and love interacting with people and helping them reach their goals so teaching clients will definitely remain at the forefront of anything I do. I am also eager to promote the positive role strength & conditioning can have on a woman’s exercise programming and try work towards diminishing the taboo that ‘lifting weights make a woman bulky!’ A lot of women are missing out on a more beneficial exercise regime due to this common misconception. What advice do you have for Exercise & Health Fitness Professionals wishing to enrol on the Flexible Learning pathway? Just go for it! It is a fantastic way of combining studying and furthering your career with balancing work and family life and is very achievable. No matter how long it has been since you have studied you will get great support from all the tutors both during and afterwards. I would like to say a big thank you to NCEF tutors Ken Buckley and Stephen Bates who have continually supported me in my endeavours in progressing myself within the fitness industry. The NCEF would like to thank Caroline for completing this interview and wish her all the best in her future endeavours.

Year 2: Personal Training

Personal Training This specialist course is for qualified fitness instructors who wish to enhance their knowledge and skills and a work as a personal trainer with clients on a one to one basis. “The Highest Standard in Ireland” 30 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits towards the Higher Certificate/ Diploma/B.Sc. in Exercise & Health Fitness through a flexible learning pathway. ECTS credits can be used towards the NCEF Higher Certificate/ Diploma/B.Sc. in Exercise & Health Fitness through a flexible learning pathway and also towards other University qualifications in Europe who follow ECTS credit value system. Aim: To provide participants with the skills, knowledge and competencies to provide one-to-one physical activity/ fitness training to adults with different abilities, needs and goals in a variety of environments.

• Introduction to Personal Training • Applied Anatomy, Physiology and Kinesiology • Client Screening and Fitness Assessment. • Programming • Communication Skills • Administrative duties and legal responsibilities • Open Forum • Final Assessments Full details on entry requirements, course content and fees are available by clicking here

National Fitness E-News 18

IN M

Thankfully we are now in a time when the western world is waking up to the fact that a medical model based on the physical alone is inadequate. It may seem obvious but we are more than just a collection of physical parts, yet in our Western world, the science of Medicine has focused on the sum of our physical parts, following Newtonian Physics. Studying each part individually, and then dividing the study of the individual systems, so we have Heart specialists, and Endocrinologists etc.. However Einstein subsequently proved that we are energy in an energetic universe. We also have a mind, emotions and a spirit. The current discussions around depression are testimony to this awakening. While most of us have a vague idea of this, how in fact are the Mind, Body & Spirit connected and is this connection important in terms of healthcare? Does the body affect our mind? Does the mind affect the body? Does your mind affect your spirit? All three aspects of our being are intimately linked. Sub particle physics tells us that we are all energy, and we have an energy field all around us. This energy field can be measured with scientific equipment such as electrophotography used by neuroanatomist Harold S. Burr at Yale University during the 1940â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. As energy your body vibrates at different rates, so for instance your liver vibrates at a different rate than you heart for example. If your body is healthy than all the parts are vibrating at their own particular rate. NASA use this knowledge for their astronauts, they wear a suit that has equipment that continually scans their body to check that all the parts are vibrating at the correct rate, and if it detects that an area is out of balance it will give that area the required amount of energy so it can balance. Because they know that if the astronauts body is vibrating at the correct rate they cannot get sick. At HCE we train therapists how to intuitively scan a clients energy field to detect these imbalances, then using specialised techniques we can introduce energy into the clients body, that allows the clients body to heal.

Emotions are also energy-e (energy)-in-motion. And all emotions vibrate at different rates which can also be measured now with scientific equipment. Meta-physics tells us that because of this certain emotions are stored in certain body parts. For example grief is stored in the lungs. But again our society already understood this, which is why we say "the gall of that one"-this statement makes no sense what so ever unless you understand that resentment is stored in the gall bladder! Professor Candace Pert, Research Professor at Georgetown Medical Centre, in her book Molecules of Emotion states that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Consciousness (ie thoughts/mind) can create and change physical molecules. This is very radical; it is very big. It is as big as realising that the earth revolves around the sunâ&#x20AC;? So we can understand that emotions and thoughts effect our physical. Diseases are indicators of what the emotional, mental or spiritual energetic imbalance may be. The energy of certain foods also plays a major role in disease, and of course sugar is the major physical factor in diabetes. There are also factors at the other levels also, and generally we have found that people suffering with diabetes are not having enough fun, joy, happiness. So a holistic approach to a disease such as diabetes would have a dietary component, an emotional component and energetic program for re-balancing the sufferers system.

This information is not new, and many of the top Doctors, Surgeons, Psychiatrists know this for instance Dr Larry Dossey, author of The Extraordinary Healing Power of Ordinary Things says “Many physician are reluctant to talk about these things such as energy and the spirit within and prayer, because they are concerned about what their colleagues will think about them. Getting this stuff (ie the awareness of the spirit and energy within) out there and simply acknowledge it, because it expands our vision of who we are and how we operate” But in normal language what do I mean when I say that we are energy? Let me ask you this question-What is it that makes your heart beat? No, not the blood-when you are dead you still have all the blood but its not going anywhere! Not the brain because you could be brain dead and still alive! For those of you good on the old Anatomy-yes the sino-arterial node in the heart or your pacemaker, gives your heart an electrical current and then it beats, and when you get this electric current you are alive and when you are dead you do not! So what is that current and where does it come from? It is an energy that comes from outside of you. And get this, it is not belief dependent-because up to a few moments ago, you never even thought about it, and you are still getting it! It is the same energy that keeps the grass growing and the trees alive, and they don’t believe in anything! It is a universal truth, like the law of gravity, it doesn’t matter whether you believe in it or not, if you let go of your pen, it will fall to the ground. So where you believe it comes from is entirely your own choice, the fact is, while you are alive you get it and when you are dead you don’t. You don’t get more because you believe and less because you don’t. Which is why, when people tell me that the energy work I do wont work for them, because they don’t believe in it, I tell them that is irrelevant, it will work anyway! Irrespective of your beliefs though, we can safely assume that the source of this energy must be incredibly powerful after all it has enough energy to keep all of us alive, the animals, plants etc. So it is also safe to assume that this source must vibrate at a very high rate. We also know from junior cert science that we vibrate at a dense rate, that is how we get to see each other, we cannot see that which vibrates higher- such as microwaves, electricity, Wi-Fi etc. So how is it that this high vibrational energy gets into our physical bodies without frying our circuits.

As we navigate life “stuff” happens, if we energetically hold on to this baggage it forms blockages in our Aura or energy field. If there are blockages in our Aura, what is happening to the energy that is trying to get in? It gets blocked. If this vital life force energy (called Ki, Chi or Prana in the East) cant get into your body, then you will get physically ill. Your physical symptoms are the final manifestation of energy blocks that have existed in your energy field for a long time before you got any physical signs. This is why it is imperative that we teach everyone how to manage themselves energetically. If your energy field is healthy, you will be physically healthy. Because when you use energy or vibrational medicine to clear out the blockages, you will then receive more energy, that your body will se to heal itself! The value of Energy Medicine in the field of Medicine, Mental Health and Sports performance is incredible and in embracing this, Ireland is way behind the rest of the world, which is why I was inspired to set up the only Holistic Centre of Excellence in Ireland (on the grounds of Glenstal Abbey, Murroe, Co Limerick), where we have the most comprehensive Holistic Therapist Diploma available. We have 33 teachers-who must all have private practices to teach at our college-and they are passionate about their specialised subjects. We have a unique Education Model which is itself Holistic, and lifelong mentorship program ensures that our Graduates are supported indefinitely.

You couldn’t plug your kettle into the power-station now could you?

If you would like any information about private treatments or training's please contact me, and I will be more than happy to help you on your pathway to health.

So there must be a transformer system to do this, and this is the energy field around you that the scientists talk of. Commonly referred to as the Etheric field or Aura. So your aura, is like your personal ozone layer and it takes in this energy and steps it down through all seven layers until it gets to a level that your physical body can safely receive it. This energy is then directly fed into your Endocrine system, via the glands, Pineal, Pituitary, Thyroid, Thymus, Pancreas, Ovaries/Testes and Adrenals, these glands then make the hormones or chemical messengers that run your entire body, and hey presto you are alive! Here’s the key-in your Aura you have layers that relate to your body, mind & spirit. This is energetically how the body, mind and spirit are intimately linked and Cannot be separated.

Anna Gibson-Steel Holistic Centre of Excellence Registered Office Ballyvoreen Cappamore Co Limerick +353- 061-381947

www.hcoe.ie To keep updated sign up to our free blog www.annagibsonsteel.com

National Fitness E-News 20

Kenneth Buchholtz M.B.S. HRM Chartered FCIPD

Do you have a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Policy for your employees, or as it can also be referred to a Personal Development Plan read more to see how it can and will benefit you, your business and your employees. INVEST in the future!! Personal Development Plan (PDP) As part of any good Performance Management System for a company there should be included Personal Development Plans for the employees. From a HR perspective you can only develop a company through its employees. Employees who stop developing will eventually become a burden to the company. At the start of the year when performance objectives are set, is the right time to develop Personal Development Plans (PDP). Personal Development Planning aims to promote learning and provide people with the knowledge and portfolio of transferable skills that will help to progress their careers and further develop the organisation. A development plan for employees is essential. At the start of the year a manager needs to identify where an employee is and where the employee could be further developed to assist the company in their development as well.

The implementation is mainly the responsibility of the individual – PDP is largely about self-managed learning. Managers have a responsibility to provide coaching, give support and to organise formal training. Managers must also ensure that individuals are given the opportunity to implement their PDP, which may include time off the job to complete training. The introduction of PDP should not be undertaken lightly. It is not just a matter of designing a new back page to the performance review form and telling people to fill it in. Neither is it sufficient just to issue guidance notes and expect people to go with it. Managers, team leaders and individuals all must learn about PDP. They should talk to the employees, encourage them to develop themselves and need to give suggestions which development might benefit the employee and company. The benefits to both should be understood and accepted. It has to be recognised that everyone will need time and support to adjust to a culture in which they have to take more responsibilities for their own development.

There are five stages in preparing a Personal Development Plan, these are:● Identify development needs ● Identifying the company’s development needs ● Identify means to link both needs ● Plan action ● Implement A Personal Development Plan (PDP) is an important part of the performance management system. It is a plan on which to record where the level of competence is met but where we would like to develop further, any training and / or development needed to support the delivery of that objective and any gaps in skills, knowledge or behaviour that need to be overcome in order to meet our objectives. It gives jobholders and managers the opportunity to: ● Identify, discuss and agree development needs for the year ahead ● Prioritise and plan how these will be addressed and achieved ● Agree and set dates for reviewing the plan ● If necessary, plan how poor performance might be improved

Published by kind permission of Kenneth Buchholtz If you want to discuss People Management with me do not hesitate to contact me at 065 7071933 EMAIL:info@campbellinternational.net WEBSITE: www.campbellinternational.net

Your website is a very important first step to growing your heath & fitness business. What are the keys to differentiation? Here are the 4 keys. 1.) Enable clients to get excited about working with a personal trainer However you choose to maintain your online presence, you’ll want to do so in a way that lets you immediately differentiate yourself from the crowd. Your online presence should feature an identifiable logo that would match your existing personal trainer website. You will want the colours on your personal trainer website to match those used by your fitness business, so your brand is identifiable. This will ensure one seamless experience in the eye of the consumer. Lastly, your professional profile should discuss your passion for working with people and for helping them achieve their fitness goals! That’s why you got into the business, isn’t it? Your professional profile of personal trainer website should dedicate ample space for you to let people see who you are as a person. They’ll need to decide that they like you before they can make the decision to buy from you. 2.) Capture new leads to grow your fitness business. When visitors find you online, and decide that they like you, are you giving away a free piece of content in exchange for the prospects’ contact information? A great strategy to put to work is to utilize a free health assessment, a free drop-in class or free consultation. When you can grow your leads list and build up a following, you may not create a customer immediately, but your personal trainer website can definitely help you create a pipeline for future customers. As your pipeline grows, you’ll need to keep them engaged with special offers, email marketing, social media, or a combination thereof. 3.) Services and packages. If your personal trainer website isn’t integrated with personal trainer software that enables you to share special offers and monthly specials, you are operating at a disadvantage vs. the competition. If you employ geo-targeted Facebook marketing efforts to attract an audience of fitness-minded consumers nearby, you should be! Invest in building an audience on Facebook, then use software for personal trainers to share specials, classes, bootcamps or the like on the social network of your choosing.

3 Strategies for Building Fitness Client Relationships through Social Media 1. Post regularly and often on every social media outlet that you are connected to – It is because of regular posting that your followers will get to know you better and begin to feel a part of your community. This is how trust is cultivated. 2. Share articles, tips and encouraging words daily to create a community of like-minded people – The quality and quantity of your posts will go a long way in building trust in with the new socially-grown relationships. Give your followers information and tips that are directly suited to their goals and interests. 3. Respond quickly when a follower posts to your page or sends you a message – When you hit share something that resonates with your followers will begin interacting with you. You will see them liking, sharing and retweeting your posts. The real fun begins though when they start commenting. This allows you to comment back, which starts a dialogue. It is through this dialogue that another layer of trust is added.

4.) Make it easy to schedule, pay and set automated reminders. When a prospective customer has found you personal trainer This is just one piece of the puzzle that you can implement website and decided they are ready to buy from you, are you immediately as a way of sharing your expertise. Of course utilizing personal trainer software that makes it easy to see it takes time and practice. It won’t happen overnight but it the openings on your schedule, book a session then pay will happen with a steady and consistent effort on your easily? Improving cash flow can be improved starting with your website! Obtaining payment before the date of service is part. You have the desire and the drive to be the resource that so many people need in their life right now. Focus on a great way to improve the profitability of your fitness busithose that need you and BE THEIR WARRIOR! ness. Your fitness business software should be enabling this for you. Now, go change the world one life at a time! Source:https://www.amstatz.com/blog/post/personal-trainerwebsites-4-must-haves-for-your Source: https://www.amstatz.com/blog/post/3-strategies-forbuilding-fitness-client-relationships National Fitness E-News 22

TU A FE

Maura O Sullivan Ryan

Having been involved with the NCEF since its early beginnings in the late 80’s I have held various roles within the organisation. As NCEF Managing Director from 2006 – 2013, along with my NCEF colleagues , I have overseen and facilitated the development of the pathway leading to the Bachelor of Science in Exercise & Health Fitness, awarded by the University of Limerick as part of the Irish National Framework of Qualifications. The provision of specialist areas of study such as Pilates and Corrective Exercise, Strength and Conditioning for Sport, and Health Related Activity (HRA) for Children forms part of this programme. The opportunity provided to fitness professionals to specialise in these areas is to me one of the strengths of this flexible learning degree pathway.

Learning is for life and while HRA for Children , Aqua Exercise & Fitness, Lifestyle Management and Active Ageing are my own specialist areas, among others, the time was right for me to enhance my learning in a specialist area that I had enjoyed participating in for many years. Pilates and Corrective Exercise . Returning to being a “ learner “once again was an exciting prospect and one that I looked forward to with enthusiasm ( and just a little in trepidation !! ). Dates were marked in the diary. Time was put aside for study, personal practice, group and individual client work and so the journey began …

A distinct advantage to me in taking the Pilates and Corrective course was the fact that I had, for a number of years attended classes taught by an NCEF qualified Instructor in my own area. This meant that prior to, as well as during the course I attended at least two classes per week, sometimes as a participant, other times as an observer. I would highly recommend this to any of you fitness professionals who are considering taking the course for the following reasons: · You will learn the breathing protocol and postural requirements prior to course start. · You will learn a bank of exercises so that all will not be new to you when you start the course · You will learn the “NCEF “approach to teaching Pilates which is based on the Stott method. There are many many approaches to teaching pilates (simply google it and you will see!!) - some good, some not so good. Get the best classes that are available to you so that you are ahead of the game before you even begin!! · Observing and / or taking part in a classes taught by an NCEF Pilates Instructor will set you on your way to developing your own teaching style , it will give you an appreciation of the precision that is required to teach each exercise effectively and the advanced observation and correction skills that are needed so that each client in your class works optimally, effectively and safely. It will also impress upon you the importance of developing the ability to teach from the most basic version of each exercise all the way to the most advanced progression with professionalism, ease and expertise. · I am indebted to Pilates Instructors Paul Nevin and Tracy Byrne O Donovan for their expertise, assistance, patience and advice both prior to and during the Pilates course. In many ways they acted as my mentors so I thank them sincerely for their assistance . · Another recommendation is to view video clips provided by NCEF Pilates Tutor. Peppy Neville on her Facebook Page - “Waterford Pilates “ This will certainly set you on the right track prior to course start.

I would also highly recommend reviewing the Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness (CEHF) manual in particular the Anatomy & Physiology area. Damien Jackson, NCEF Director of Education and Training also recommends download of the following ‘Visible Bodies ‘software http://www.visiblebody.com/muscular_download_overview/ at a cost of only 20 Euro I also highly recommend it. If you have been “ out of the loop” for a while this preparation will take the “sting” out of the anatomy & physiology, core stabilisation and core strength and programming areas when you take the course.

Course Content can be viewed at www.ncefinfo.com and varies from history and function of pilates, to anatomy and physiology, core stabilisation, posture analysis and programming to lifetime benefits for various populations. A large bulk of the content involves the precise learning of the exercises from warm ups , to basic mat ,intermediate and advanced mat as well as Pilates on the ball. There are over 130 exercises in all and each exercise will have at least three adaptations / progressions. The course requires that as a Pilates Specialist perfect precision is required in your own demonstrations of the each exercise right from beginner to advanced as well as showing precision and effectiveness in advanced teaching skills.

The four contact weekends were intensive, informative, well organised and professionally taught. With only a two week break between each weekend, time for assimilation, completion of case study, personal practice and group practice for video was very challenging. Perhaps a three week break between Weekend 3 & 4 could be recommended. Course Co- ordinator Linda Bracken, Tutors Peppy Neville and Grace Germaine - all of whom I have worked with over the years were professional, helpful, knowledgeable and professional. Above all they worked with and supported their students in the true spirit of the NCEF.

In my experience one can learn as much or even more from fellow participants on any course and the Pilates course was no exception. My contact with fellow participants both during and between the contact weekends was invaluable. I worked closely with one other class member - we assisted with each other’s group video preparation, evaluated each others personal technique and generally mentored and motivated each other. This proved to be very beneficial in building teaching confidence and in perfecting technique. Maggie Crosse – take a bow!!

The Case Study was a challenge for me as my client was a Rheumatoid Arthritis sufferer who had other associated illnesses fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndrome. A steep learning curve was involved in learning the correct methodology and test techniques for posture analysis even though I had completed some work in this area in my previous bachelor and master’s degrees. However the greatest value I received from this task was the absolute satisfaction in seeing my client show benefits from the six- week Pilates programme that I prescribed and worked through with him. His pain levels decreased and his strength and flexibility measures improved although only marginally in such a short term programme. Most importantly he reported that he could stand, walk, sit and sleep for longer periods without discomfort or pain. Perhaps here is a recommendation for further study- The effects of Pilates Exercise on sufferers of Rheumatoid Arthritis? Liaison with other professionals such as my client’s general practitioner and physiotherapist provided valuable and worthwhile experience for me.

The course manual, learning support website and course tutors all served as very informative and useful resources. Video clips on the support website were particularly useful and are excellently presented.

As with any course or programme of study, effective time management is of the essence. Make a plan before you commence the course, factor in your four contact weekends, participation / observation of Pilates classes (Recommend 2/3 per week, daily study and personal practice times (30 - 60 mins of each everyday x 8 weeks), Case Study Client meeting times (1 – 2 hours per week x 8 weeks) and Group Video Practice Times (1 – 2 hours per week x 8 weeks). Add in preparation time and post session write ups for each of the above as well as time for Case Study write ups, preparation and recording of videos and preparation and completion of online assessments.

For group videos I suggest you recruit 6 – 8 reliable, interested people. You will only need four people in your final videos but this will allow for absences and illnesses. Look after your group. These are your future prospective clients. Ensure that you have a comfortable, warm facility for them; provide water, and good music. Take your time, teach well and they will be amazed at how much you will gain confidence and expertise in such a short space of time. Be precise, specific and effective.

National Fitness E-News 24

te a l Pi

Socrates said that “Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel” In my case the flame has certainly been kindled. Pilates Exercise has many avenues and possibilities. From the introduction of more advanced stability ball work to the use of other props such as dynaband and foam roller to the prospects of providing Pilates programmes to special populations e. g arthritis sufferers, older adults and pregnant participants as well as to clients who are undergoing cardiac or cancer rehabilitation. The possibilities for further professional development and enhancement of your versatility as a fitness professional are endless once you have mastered the challenge of becoming an NCEF Pilates and Corrective Exercise Specialist. My belief in the potential for positive results from properly prescribed, taught and progressed Pilates has been borne out. This potential can only be realised by ensuring that Pilates professional instructors are well educated and prepared. The challenge awaits you ……….. !!

Maura O Sullivan Ryan

Pilates Instructor This specialist course is for qualified fitness instructors who wish to enhance their knowledge and skills and provide safe and effective instruction in Pilates & Corrective. These specialists can work with clients on a one to one basis or in a group setting. RECOGNITION: 30 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits towards the Higher Certificate/ Diploma/BSc. in Exercise & Health Fitness through a flexible learning pathway. The Higher Certificate/Diploma/B.Sc. are awarded by the University of Limerick and are placed at Levels 6/7/8 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and Levels 5/6 on the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). Click the link for Application Full details on entry requirements, course content and fees are available by clicking here

RESEARCHERS HAVE DISCOVERED a “wonder drug” for many of today’s most common medical problems, says Dr. Bob Sallis, a family practitioner. It’s been proven to help treat or prevent diabetes, depression, dementia, breast and colon cancer, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, obesity, anxiety and osteoporosis, Sallis told a packed room of leaders at the 2013 Walking Summit, held October 1–3, 2013 in Washington, D.C. “The drug is called “walking,” Sallis announced. “Its generic name is physical activity.”

Based on this evidence the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends 150 minutes of physical activity a week for adults. BENEFITS · It makes you healthier · It makes you a better writer · It clears your brain · It's meditative

Recommended dosage is 30 minutes a day, five days a week, but children should double that to 60 minutes a day, seven days a week. Side effects may include weight loss, improved mood, improved sleep and bowel habits and stronger muscles and bones, as well as looking and feeling better. Biking, swimming, dancing, gardening, sports, jogging and aerobics work equally well, Sallis said, but he cites three factors that make walking the most effective treatment: 1) Low or no cost. 2) Simple to do for people of all ages, incomes and fitness levels. 3) Walking is a favourite physical activity, so we are more likely to stick with a walking program than other fitness or pharmaceutical prescriptions.

· It's reduces and/or eliminates pain

Sallis urges all physicians to prescribe walking for their patients because “physical inactivity is pandemic today,” as the authoritative British medical journal The Lancet reported last year in a special issue devoted to the benefits of physical activity. Studies published in other leading medical journals show that walking and other physical activity could cut rates of many of these diseases by at least 40 percent, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. This would save in health care costs, according to the American Public Health Association.

· It gives you a stress-relieving outlet

· It clears your lungs · It makes you crave walking · It makes your dogs better behaved · It inspires others to follow suit · It helps your work on your alignment · It fills your head with fantastic ideas · It's good for your self-esteem · It encourages you · It builds muscles the right way · It lessens your common cold occurrence · It helps you sleep better · It helps you lose weight · It connects you to yourself Source: http://everybodywalk.org/ http://everybodywalk.org/media_assets/WalkingAsAWay OfLife1_Final.pdf

National Fitness E-News 26

EW I EV

I thought I didn’t eat much sugar ….. That is until I read a book by Sarah Wilson, an Australian bestselling author, who wrote “I quit Sugar”. Sarah has written a book that will quite literally change your life. We all love sugar – WHY? Because it is an addictive substance. Now more than every we have a better understanding of white gold within nearly every morsel we consume in our daily lives. We know that sugar interacts with the reward systems in the brain and generates different responses in our body which can have substantial lasting effects, Ms Wilson explains why and how you should eradicate sugar from your life in a welcoming and factual tone. But this is no easy feat, considering she is asking you to give up a substance that you have consumed every day of your life up this point! This book not is another diet book – this book is a lifestyle change!

I didn’t know I was a sugar addict but I was, we all are. I needed that little bit of sweetness after my dinner: I needed that little bit of sugar to get me through the mid-morning and I definitely needed that food/sugar fix before I went to bed…. And I still woke up HUNGRY !! So I was eating more sugar than my body was designed to eat. According to Sarah today we eat more than a kilo of sugar a week , just 150 years ago we ate none and from a biological point of view we are only designed to be able to handle the sugar contained in two pieces of fruit in a day = 5-6 teaspoons!!!!

● She has a sharp 8-week program that walks you through each crucial stage, week by week. ● She gives simple explanations as to why sugar is making us fat and sick. ● She explains the process of cutting fructose out of your diet entirely and ● She has a sugar replacement plan that is tried and tested and nutritionally sound. She gives a shopping list of new ingredients to replace sugar in your life. Bacon and egg muffins are brilliant, as are many of the recipes, although to be fair some sound worse than they actually are. I can’t say that I have tried all her recipes but my advice is to follow the baby steps rule. I started with one recipe and then another. I would suggest doing the 8 week plan before you start into the recipes, some of them come across as being bland and uninteresting however when you get sugar out of your system you will come to appreciate the sugar in these ‘bland’ recipes (for want of a better word).

You will begin to taste the natural sugar in almost every vegetable you eat. You will begin to taste the sugar in your toothpaste; YES she even suggests you brush your teeth if you are feeling that you need a fix!!!!

My results: ·

In mid-September 2013 I gave up sugar; by Christmas 2013 I had lost 7lbs (with no exercise)

I discovered I had a waist again

I do not need to have a sweet fix after meals

I’ve cut down on the quantity of food that I eat

I feel less tired, more motivated and I jump out of bed in the morning

The book can be downloaded as an e-book and I started my eight week plan from that however, I would definitely recommend having the actual book in front of you. I like that she took the perspective of NOT going cold-turkey and to have patience with yourself - Definitely my kind of plan. It’s colourful, the layout is easy on the brain, you can pick snippets out, digest them and come back to it later. The graphics are good and you can quite easily pick up that the author has a good sense of humour (she does ask you to cut out fruit for the 8 week program, but you are allowed to come back to fruit so it is not demonised). An easy and honest read that provides an excellent insight into the role sugar plays in our diet. A lot can be learnt from reading this e-book written by journalist Sarah Wilson.

www.iquitsugar.com/ Blog: http://iquitsugar.com/blog/

At a Glance Teaspoons of sugar A glass of fruit juice

8-12

Fruit toast (2 slices) Fruit Muffin Dollop of tomato sauce Kellogg’s Just Right Cereal Small tub low fat yogurt Serving of pasta sauce (from jar) This review is a personal review written by Fiona Corbett.. This review does not imply any form of advertising, sponsorship, or paid insertions. NCEF does not endorse any particular book. We provide information which we hope are helpful, however disclaimers apply.

National Fitness E-News 28

BOXERCISE INSTRUCTOR PROFILE My name is Stephen Kearns. I’m a Personal Trainer and Boxercise Instructor from south Dublin. I finished school in 2000 and went straight into the construction industry. I was happy enough in this job for a few years, but I had a big passion for fitness and always had aspirations to go back to college and work in that area. When the building boom began to slow I realised that was my time to take action. I enrolled myself on an exercise, health studies and sports nutrition course, became a PT and haven’t looked back since. It didn’t take me very long to realise that just because it’s no problem for me to leap out of bed at 6am and hit the gym, others sometimes need that extra bit of motivation. This is where Boxercise came in for me. I signed up for the Boxercise Instructor Award in 2013 and began to incorporate this with my 1-1 client training sessions. Anthony was my first 1-1 client after completing my Boxercise course and I think his progress pictures speak for themselves. Every guy wants to feel like Rocky Balboa in the gym, and believe it or not there’s nothing my female clients enjoy more than punching stuff HARD!

It’s a win win all round, they have lots of fun and most of the time they’re not even aware they’re being pushed through a high intensity interval style workout. (They know all about it for the next few days but that’s half the fun…..isn’t it??) When clients are working up a real sweat, pushing themselves harder each time, but still smiling, you know you’re doing it right! The success I’ve had with clients using Boxercise prompted me to sign up for the Boxercise for Kids instructor award which I have recently completed. As a parent myself I know the importance of trying to keep kids active and healthy these days. I’m currently organising Kid’s classes at the moment and as you can see from the pic I already have two ready-made clients/helpers with my own daughter and niece! I have even had some requests for parent and child classes which I’m also very excited about. Connect with me on my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/StevekearnsPT

A E F

All I could feel was the top of my head, - I remember thinking ‘ya daft bat, you can’t stand on your head – what are you doing? I could see my arms but couldn’t move them, I had no idea where my legs where and I was bleeding from somewhere. I could hear my daughter Rebecca (age 10) crying – she had to call for help and offer me first aid. I have never been so scared. It was 6pm, July 3rd Estepona, Southern Spain. Seconds before, I’d been on the roof terrace thinking about the pool. Rebecca and I had had a lovely day together, life was good .Then I was startled by a Hornet, ran, tripped over the door ledge and flew headfirst down an unforgiving marble staircase. Two corners and a backflip headstand later – I finally stopped moving.

Rehabilitation was the goal, to get moving, to regain strength – no one gets better sitting down! I began by walking every day, updating my friends/acquaintances along the way. Many offered to shop, clean, drive….whatever I needed, together with wine and tapas, people are so nice. One little child asked me if I took the collar off would my head fall off! You do have to laugh. The pain didn’t go away, and I noticed weird sensations in my body. August 27th, a neurologist reviewed my MRI, X-rays and files. Severe Spinal Cord compression and my life was at risk should I fall or suffer a whiplash type accident. Surgery was the only option and I hated it!

When the Paramedics didn’t arrive, Rebecca and her pal Jessica (age 9 -my translator), flagged down a passing Police car and demanded their help. Jessica told them I wanted a ‘doggie collar’ – something got lost in translation! However, Spinal Board strapped on and off to hospital. Head and face lacerations, severed muscle fibres in Rectus Femoris and Vastus Lateralis, severe bruising all over my body, and Spinal Cord Inflammation. No broken bones which was surprising at my age – a testament to a life of exercise. A DXA scan a year before, had revealed almost peak bone density. A strong vertebral column plus a healthy active life, saved my life.

The treatment plan was Steroids and neurological pain killers. Some sensation began to return to my legs, but my arms, particularly my left arm was slower. I was discharged one week later with ‘keep taking the tablets until the pain goes away’.

Wednesday October 16th 2013 at 7pm, intervertebral Discs C3, C4, C5 were removed a Titanium Plate was installed plus bone graft. At 11am the next day, I stood up. By 5pm I had walked, climbed stairs, bringing drains and drips with me and oh yeah, wearing my not so cute Compression Tights! The surgeon discharged me the following morning – I think I scared him. HA! My family went to work, school, college – what to do???. Training shoes on, an hour and a half to walk five miles – pretty pathetic, but I was in control of my recovery.

National Fitness E-News 30

Two weeks of solitary walking and I was cracking up, not being able to drive was so frustrating, I really needed my sanctuary- the gym. I was desperate to get active, to get back to normal, to tell the marble stairs to ‘sod off’!

protection, so I’ve introduced Bikram Yoga into my regime. I have a lot to be thankful for, I’m alive and not paralysed the excess 5kg won’t last! I’m fit, healthy, I have John, my children, wonderful friends, work colleagues. So every day, I stand up, ‘crack’ out my neck get on with it.

Encouraged by John, my partner, I checked into a hotel with a gym, so I could train and rest as needed. I followed the rules (yes I did!) – no impact, no upper body weights, and plenty of rest. After two days, I missed my family and went home. There had to be a better way.

There were some funny moments and it helps to laugh. The terrace is totally private, until you fall that is! I did it ‘Linda’ style, not an item of clothing on! There was also the moment in hospital when I needed help to put my cervical collar back on, I asked a buxom Spanish lady to help me.

Facebook is not for everyone, but I like it. An SOS looking for a lift to the gym yielded an amazing response from friends, people I barely know, neighbours and fellow Fitness freaks.

NO PROBLEMA! She said and promptly chocked me with it, I couldn’t even ask her to loosen it.

The Adaptive Motion trainer became my salvation – no impact but exercise endorphins to the max! My friends, brought me to the gym and then to ‘Lunch’, hence the 5kg weight gain. If I was still paralysed, I wouldn’t care how much I weighed, it’s all about perspective. My friends - you guys know who you are – thanks for getting me out of the house, for your friendship and unconditional support, those days would have been so much darker without you. Finally, I could drive, it was very scary! My neck felt weird, mobility was poor. I got to Yoga, the gym and to do my part in family life - baby steps, baby steps, bit by bit. A Review on January 24th 2014 revealed that he bone graft was growing well (all the exercise) and scarring on the Spinal Cord which was probably the source of the neurological pain, it might improve but it might not. My question was – when can I go back to work and when can I run? Yes! Finally! At the gym, I ran two miles, crying, scared, in pain but desperate to get my life back. I went back to work, my first ETM class was tough, but I did it. My Dad always said I was stubborn – he was right, I’m still aiming for 10 miles and to get back Horse riding. February and March were busy with work, my own training and family life. Delighted to be back, I ignored the pain. Sometimes I get angry, sad, determined, crushed, yes there are people who are worse off, but everything is relative. Exercise has helped both physical & mental recovery. At three months post operation most people are still on the couch watching TV – I did not do a single day on the couch! People have asked ‘ what are you trying to prove?’ Nothing! It’s my way of life, it’s how I’m ‘wired’, it’s my job, it’s my hobby, it’s who I am. I can’t run the way I used to anymore, the few remaining discs in my neck need

Promotion of Active Daily Living is what we do. I’ve delivered the lines, believing them and now I know it to be true. We owe it to ourselves, our families, our friends, to be as healthy and strong as we can, to fight whatever comes our way. I didn’t know when I woke up that morning that my life would change forever, No one knows what is ahead, this freaky accident totally caught me off guard and I’m still clawing my way back. So the dancing at the Christmas Party was great fun and I suffered afterwards – still wouldn’t do it any other way. Medical Article on Cervical Decompression: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2140121/ General article on Cervical Decompression: http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/back-surgery/acdfanterior-cervical-discectomy-and-fusion

U T A E F

The University of Limerick four years ago hosted the Special Olympics National Games. There was an atmosphere on Campus that we had never before witness. It was electric, palatable, exciting if it could be bottled it would be a best seller. So it goes without saying that UL Sport and the Campus community are delighted to welcome the games back here in June. Special Olympics is a sports training and competition programme for people with an intellectual disability. There are over 400 clubs across the whole island of Ireland training over 11,000 athletes helped by 18,000 volunteers. With all the sports on offer, athletes can train regularly in their chosen sport and progress to compete at area, regional, all Ireland and international events. These games will be part of a cycle where athletes will have qualified from regional games , progressed to these national games and hope to get to go to the World games in LA in the summer of 2015. The Special Olympics athletes, coaches and management will descend on the campus on Thursday June 12th and the games will run until Sunday June 15th. All 1550 athletes will stay on Campus in the student accommodation. On the Thursday there will be an opening ceremony and this will be a parade in Limerick finishing at the People’s park. The sports that are involved in the Games are as follows: Aquatics, Athletics, Basketball, Bocce, Badminton, Bowling, Equestrian, Golf, Football, Kayaking, Gymnastics, Pitch & Putt, Table Tennis, and Motor Adapted Training Programme. All the sports are run in the Limerick area with seven in UL. The Aquatics will have 236 athletes and will take place in the UL sport 50M pool. The Basketball has 239 athletes and takes place in the UL Sport Arena. The Athletics has 431 athletes and takes place on the track here in UL. On the new 3G all weather pitches is the five a side football and this will cater for 282 athletes. Down in the PESS building you will have the gymnastics and also the motor Activity training programme which combined caters for 182 athletes and finally in UL we have the Kayaking at the UL boathouse with 29 athletes involved here. The other sports that are off campus are equestrian in Clonshire, Bowling in Ennis Leisure World, Badminton & Table Tennis with our neighbours in Mary Immaculate College, Bocce in Delta Dome , Pitch & Putt in Murroe and finally Golf in Ballykisteen. The campus for that week gets turned into a Special Olympics campus effectively with sports in every corner and you have athlete specific areas,

Parent areas, media centres and then you have the Healthy athlete’s programme where athletes can avail of the free services of opticians, chiropodists & Audiologists. This is a superb and well used service. These games would not be possible if it wasn’t for the volunteers who give of their time, over the four days there will be in excess of 3000 volunteers working the games. The volunteers work in all areas from sports, information, guest services, accommodation, officials, fundraising, catering, logistics, communications, entertainment, signage, Healthy athlete, opening & closing ceremonies. It is wonderful to see such retention of volunteers from the 2010 games and they are currently and have been for the past few undergoing training. I am involved from the sports management perspective, which means that each of the fourteen sports has a competition manager and they report in to me. I and one of the Special Olympic staff oversee the running of all the sports. We are there to make sure that all the managers’ needs are meet from the point of view of the athlete’s divisoning, scheduling, logistics on the days of competition and anything else that may pop up in the sports area. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Special Olympics movement every athlete takes an oat which states “Let me win but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt". This is something that everyone can take on board, sometimes things go wrong but you have to keep trying. If the opportunity arises and you can be in UL for any of the games you should grasp the opportunity as these athletes are truly special. Who knows when you see them in action you might get hooked like I did in 2003.

National Fitness E-News 32

NOW TAKING ENROLMENTS

A Career in Sports Therapy? Offers part-time nationally and internationally recognised courses and workshops in • Anatomy & Physiology • Sports massage • Sports injuries • Sports equipment- Ultrasound etc • Sports Nutrition • Dry Needling • Kinesio Taping • Pitchside First Aid & Defibrillator Course Venues: Limerick, Galway and Kilkenny

For more info and a free course brochure visit www.imst.ie or call 061-201855

The Institute of Massage and Sports Therapy Ltd was founded in 1998 with the aim of providing internationally recognised qualifications in Sports Therapy. We are one of the few ITEC colleges in Ireland that are a specialist college, in that we only offer courses and workshops that deal with Sports Massage and injury treatments. It is our area of expertise and passion. We have now developed courses which deal with all aspects of sports therapy, including anatomy & physiology, holistic massage, assessment techniques, advanced sports massage treatment techniques, trigger pointing, sports rehabilitation, exercise physiology, ultrasound, sports nutrition, dry needling and kinesio taping etc.

The skills taught on these courses will enable graduates to treat conditions Institute of massage & Sports Therapy, such as neck and shoulder tension, strains and sprains, whiplash, tennis Unit 6 & 7, The Square, elbow, groin strains, hamstring Annacotty, problems, knee ligament injuries, low Limerick back pain and overuse injuries to name but a few.

“In today’s goal orientated, stressful environment, these treatments have become extremely important, in maintaining healthy balance in the body and preventing long-term stress and injury. This is especially true for athletes and sports people who are in a hurry to recover quickly from injury and resume their training. The Sports Therapist can greatly improve their recovery time and prevent further injury with correct treatment and rehabilitation.” says Rachel McCarthy, Director of the Institute. “In today’s goal orientated, stressful environment, these treatments have become extremely important, in maintaining healthy balance in the body and preventing long-term stress and injury. This is especially true for athletes and sports people who are in a hurry to recover quickly from injury and resume their training. The Sports Therapist can greatly improve their recovery time and prevent further injury with correct treatment and rehabilitation.” says Rachel McCarthy, Director of the Institute.

BODYFLOW-Best Fitness Yoga CYCLE REEBOK FITNESS PILATES TRIPLE A -Applied Activities to Aging KETTLEBELL TRX REBOUNDING STABILITY BALL REEBOK HIIT /BODYSMART TRAINING URBAN FUNK REP REEBOK STEP REEBOK REEBOK BOXFIT

SPECIAL OFFER All recipients of this Ezine will get 20% off trainings.... 120 euro if 4 or more apply !! Students during completion and for 6 months after completion will get a further discount of 100 Euro

www.protempo.ie

DISCOUNTED FITNESS MUSIC CDS ● ● ● ●

Qualified Instructors Only/Recognised Certification Cost= €150 for full day’s training See Top Trends Fitness Training on Face book for updates or Interested contact Sheila on sheilaosullivan2 @gmail.com or 087 2386453

FUN TO FULL POTENTIAL - COACHING THE WHOLE ATHLETE The 11th National Coaching Forum will take place at Institute of Technology Sligo, on the 26th-27th September 2014. This Forum promises to be the biggest and most extensive gathering of professionals and volunteers involved in Coaching Sport. The Forum will attract coaches, tutors, sports development officers, physical education teachers, sports scientists, NGB and LSP personnel and policy makers. Leading National and International presenters will take part in this event titled “Fun to Full Potential - Coaching the Whole Athlete”. The goals of the 11th National Coaching Forum include: ¨ To bring together top National and International speakers, coaches, researchers, and administrators; to share their knowledge during formal keynote presentations, workshops and practical sessions ¨ To celebrate the impact good coaching makes at all levels to individuals, clubs, communities, and nations ¨ To challenge and inspire coaches to implement best practice and continue to raise the standard of coaching in clubs and communities ¨ To provide opportunities to network with other coaches to share ideas and resources ¨ To focus on the needs of coaches of children (active start, fundamentals and learn to play and practice) ¨ To examine the notion that coaching is not about developing sport alone, but developing individuals. ¨ To develop confidence, credibility and consistency in coaching practices across sports

11th National Coaching Forum 26th-27th September 2014 Venue: Institute of Technology, Sligo This event is hosted by Institute of Technology, Sligo as part of the Sligo European Town of Sport 2014

National Fitness E-News 34

I have been working in the fitness industry since 2008. I decided to further my education by completing the NCEF Personal Trainer, Pilates Instructor modules, and the tutor strand of the Diploma in 2012-13. As well as qualifying in Sports Massage, all of which led me to undertake a BSc. in Sports Rehabilitation and Athletic Therapy, which I hope to complete in 2015. I have a strong interest in triathlon, and all its disciplines, I also enjoy coaching triathlon. One thing that I took from the multimedia module was to embrace new technology. Everyone has a smartphone and it is an integral part of many people’s lives. So we as fitness instructors should embrace and use them too. One example where fitness instructors can uses technology effectively is instead writing out teaching points for exercise programmes, get then to video you demonstrating the exercise, or even better video them while giving cues specific to them. While there are times when smartphones are inappropriate particularly with regards privacy, remember to ask permission if you are videoing someone and to only use the images for the intended purpose. There are thousands of health & fitness apps at our disposal, most of which are free. My top 5 are: 1. Metronome 2. BMI Calculator 3. Bleep Test 4. Heart Rate Monitor 5. Rep Calculator

The people who do appreciate the effort often tell others. Having a reputation of offering a professional and value added service is advertising that you just cannot buy. Having the opportunity to get peer review editor quality feedback on smaller assignment is a huge benefit. The level of feedback is far more than any previous levels of study. While this might not the most glamorous of subjects it will no doubt put you in good stead to get that allusive first class honourer. Progressing on to any higher level of education will undoubtedly call for some reasonable amount of scholarly reading and writing getting as much practice as possible is critical. Accessing and utilising the University library facilities are an advantage that hopefully is not missed out. Hint: when searching for articles save everything you can you never know when it might come in handy. he huge advantage of doing the Diploma is the fact that it is a Diploma. Having this level of education will set you apart in any job application, as well as increasing academic credits and ability. While the work load is heavy it passes quickly and is very interesting. With the Diploma being accredited by the University of Limerick it is of even more benefit, especially if you wish to travel. Being able to see the potential in others and drawing it out is far more beneficial than a do what I say approach. Changing your perspective from a learner to a teacher can be a challenge, but it will help the people you are tutoring as well as developing your capabilities.

There is nothing better to help you learn something than having to explain it to someone that is new to the subject. Going over every page in the in the manual and translating it in to a way you can understand it and more importantly students can understand it, is vital. Having a greater knowledge of the principles of fitness puts you in great standing when it comes to answering those awkward questions “how do is lose my tummy” or “how do I get bigger biceps”. While tutoring might initially led to anxiety provoking thoughts such as every word you say is going to be judged, or worse ignored, is a stressful situation. However shadowing and having the reassurance that expert tutors are there to give quality feedback and insight offers a huge learning curve. Knowing how an adult learns makes life so much easier for them and a fitness instructor. Understanding that there are more ways to teach than the “old school talk ‘n’ chalk” can expand how you interact with your fitness clients. After swimming lessons giving out hand-outs with pictures and notes and links to good videos websites caters for all the different ways adults learn, it also gives them an opportunity to reinforce the learning during the week. While there is a lot of extra work in doing handouts and sometimes it might not be appreciated by some people.

The NCEF would like to thank Richie for completing this interview and wish him all the best in her future

Year 3: Diploma Advanced Specialist

Q The Diploma in Exercise & Health Fitness (DEHF) is Year 3 of the B.Sc. and offers individuals the opportunity to research, study and practice at an advanced level in the area of Exercise & Health Fitness. Participants who are successful will be awarded the Diploma from the University of Limerick and are eligible to apply for entry onto Year 4 B.Sc. in Exercise & Health Fitness. The DEHF Year 3 has two strands and students can choose either: Strand 1: Tutor Education provides fitness professionals with the skills, knowledge and competencies to carry out the functions of a tutor at Year 1 (CEHF) and Year 2 (Specialist Courses). Strand 2: Practitioner Education â&#x20AC;&#x201C; work at higher specialised levels within the industry, as specialist instructors and/or in supervisory management positions. Application closing date June 2014

Recognition: The DEHF is a stand alone qualification and is awarded by the University of Limerick. Levels 7 National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Levels 6 European Qualifications Framework (EQF). 60 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) towards the B.Sc. in Exercise & Health Fitness through a flexible learning pathway. Full details on entry requirements, course content and fees are available by clicking here

National Fitness E-News 36

A Register of Exercise & Health Fitness Fitness Professionals Ireland (FPI) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; recognises the expertise of fitness professionals in Ireland. FPI aims to provide the highest possible standard of services and benefits to all its members. Benefits of FPI Membership: Discounted Professional Insurance E-Zines three times per year Access to Continuing Professional Development courses For the full list of benefits please click here JOIN TODAY - VISIT THE OFFICIAL FPI WEBSITE www.fitnessprofessionalsireland.ie

National Fitness E-News 38