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Continuing Education for Exercise Science Professionals

Key Takeaways

  • Continuing education credits (CECs) are essential for maintaining exercise science certifications and staying updated.
  • Various accredited courses and activities like workshops, conferences, and online classes help earn CECs.
  • Accreditation by recognized bodies ensures the quality and acceptance of the education programs.
  • Continuing education supports career advancement and competency in diverse exercise science specialties.

Continuing education credits (CECs) are part of the professional development and competency maintenance within the field of exercise science. They help keep your certifications active. These certifications are part of the effort to make sure that professionals keep up with the latest trends in research in their field.

Continuing education units (CEUs) are simply another measure of ongoing education. Exercise science CEUs are typically equivalent to the number of hours you have participated in a continuing education program. They’re widely accepted across professions. It’s a standardized way to track further education and competency. They demonstrate your commitment to staying current in your field. They are often required to maintain your certification.

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Continuing Education for Exercise Science

Exercise science professionals have to maintain their certifications. Continuing education is part of this. Each certifying body has its own requirements for exercise science CEUs. In most cases, you need to earn a certain number of continuing education credits or continuing education units within a specific period of time.

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) requires you to earn a specific number of CECs each year to maintain your certification. You can get these credits through workshops, conferences, online courses, and webinars. They even provide education opportunities through their platform. The National Strength and Conditioning Association mandates that to maintain their certification, you need to earn CEUs through courses. These should be on advanced training techniques, nutrition, injury prevention, and more.

Accrediting Bodies

  • Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
  • American College of Sports Medicine
  • National Strength and Conditioning Association

Exercise Science CEUs

As CEU usually involves hours of participation. Generally, one CEU is equivalent to 10 hours of participation in an accredited program. How many CEUs you need for your certification renewal is going to depend on the certifying body. The National Strength and Conditioning Association doesn’t only mandate CEUs. To recertify you need to spread your CEUs over different categories. For instance, you need a total of six CEUs, but those six need to be spread over at least two categories of education. This makes sure you’re getting information from multiple areas.

Activities That Qualify for Exercise Science CEUs

  • Workshops and Seminars
  • Online Courses
  • Professional Conferences
  • Publications and Research
  • Volunteering and Teaching

CEC Opportunities for Fitness Professionals

As a fitness professional, there are many ways you can get continuing education credits. Here are the most notable options:

Personal Trainers

  • Women’s Fitness Specialization: Take a course that focuses on exercise, nutrition, and weight management specifically for women. The course will cover various age groups and fitness levels and is worth 1.3 CEUs.
  • Senior Fitness Specialization: This course teaches you to create exercise programs for older adults and how to address their limitations, fall risks, and medical conditions. On average, it provides one CEU.

Exercise Physiologists

  • Exercise is Medicine Credential: This credential is offered by the ACSM. It’s a course for those who want to help individuals with chronic diseases. It includes looking at practical modules on healthcare and exercise prescription. This certification provides 15 CECs.
  • Cancer Exercise Specialist Course: Also provided by the ACSM, this course is designed for those who work with cancer patients. It teaches you how to create individualized exercise programs that cater to their abilities. It’s an online course that provides 6 CECs.

Special Population Trainers

  • Autism Exercise Specialist Certificate: it’s an online course and a workshop that will prepare you for working with individuals with autism. It offers 6 CECs.
  • Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Practices: This workshop, offered by the National Exercise Trainers Association, teaches yoga practices that are better suited for trauma survivors. Completing it will earn you 5 CECs.

General Fitness

  • IDEA & ACSM Health & Fitness Summit: this annual summit offers up to 20 CECs through workshops and sessions. They cover topics like personal training techniques, Health Science, business management, and innovative business solutions.
  • Canfitpro Global Conference and Trade Show: this event also hosts many CEC-approved courses. You can find specialties in children’s fitness, nutrition, and yoga. Each course can be worth up to four CECs.

Innovative and Emerging Topics in Continuing Education

  • Digital Fitness and Technology
  • Functional Training and Mobility
  • Behavioral Coaching and Mental Health
  • Inclusion and Special Populations

Online Continuing Education for Exercise Science

Online courses have provided several new opportunities for exercise science CEUs. Online continuing education for exercise science provides some unique advantages. With an online course, you can study from anywhere. It can also be more affordable than the more traditional in-person courses.

Recommendations for Reputable Online Continuing Education Platforms

  1. American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
  2. American Council on Exercise (ACE)
  3. National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
  4. National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA)

Accredited CEUs in Exercise Science

Even when looking for online continuing education for exercise science, you need to make sure that the program you choose is accredited. For these CECs and CEUs to be used for your certifications, they have to meet certain standards. An accredited course means that an independent body evaluates the quality and the effectiveness of the program. That course meets the standards of excellence required. These are courses that will be recognized and respected by your future employers, clients, and industry peers.

Key Accreditation Organizations

  1. Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
  2. National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)

What to Look for When Searching for Accredited CEUs in Exercise Science

  • Accreditation Status: make sure the program has been certified by one of the above organizations
  • Curriculum Quality
  • Certification Alignment
  • Flexibility and Accessibility

Exercise Science Professional Development

Professional development often means looking for CEC opportunities specifically for fitness professionals. Continuing education ensures that you stay current with the latest research, techniques, and trends in your field. You can refine your skills and acquire new ones. Continuing education can lead to promotions and higher salaries. Maintaining those certifications through CEC opportunities builds your credibility.

Examples of the Benefits of Continuing Education

  1. Personal Trainers: CEC courses in areas like sports performance, corrective exercise, and senior fitness can expand your client base.
  2. Exercise Physiologists: Earning clinical certifications from the ACSM can open more opportunities in clinical settings.
  3. Sports Nutritionist: Earning certification in nutrition can make you an expert in your field. You can now provide evidence-based nutrition advice to athletes.
  4. Rehabilitation Specialists: Taking CE courses in physical therapy, functional rehabilitation, or adaptive fitness can open new doors.

Maintaining Certification in Exercise Science

American College of Sports Medicine

To maintain your certification, you must earn continuing education credits. For example, ACSM CPTs have to complete 45 CECs every three years. If you are an exercise physiologist in a clinical setting, then you can attend annual ASCM conferences and workshops/presentations that pertain to your exercise field. You can also complete online courses that are related to cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.

National Strength and Conditioning Association

NSCA-certified professionals must earn 6 CEUs every three years. That’s equivalent to 60 contact hours. In addition to your continuing education, you also have to maintain a CPR/AED certification. If you work with college athletes, you could attend the NSCA’s national conferences and their regional clinics.

American Council on Exercise

ACE-accredited professionals have to complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years. They also need to maintain a current CPR/AED certification. If you were in a fitness studio specializing in special medical conditions you could take any number of the ACE’s online courses. There are courses on metabolic disorders and musculoskeletal rehabilitation.

Continuing Education Requirements for Exercise Scientists

Internet states you’ll find that continuing education requirements are set by the certifying bodies. As you can see above, certain continuing education credits or continuing education units are required within a certain period of time to maintain your certification. Other certifying bodies also require CPR and AED certification to be kept current.

Maintaining your certification through continuing education can have some serious impacts on your job roles and responsibilities:

  • Enhanced Competency and Skill Set
  • Career Advancement
  • Legal and Ethical Compliance
  • Increased Job Security

Best Continuing Education Courses for Exercise Science

  • ACE Fitness Nutrition Specialist
  • NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
  • Women’s Fitness Specialization by NASM
  • Senior Fitness Specialization by NASM
  • Functional Bodyweight by Alessandro Pisanu (ACE)

Tips on Choosing the Best Exercise Science CEUs for Your Career Goals

  1. Assess Your Career Goals
  2. Keep up on the current trends in your industry
  3. Check the accreditation
  4. Consider the format of the course and its flexibility
  5. Evaluate the content of the course and the benefits it provides

Lifelong Learning in Exercise Science

Continuing education allows you to stay current and competitive. The field of exercise science is always changing with new research and new techniques. Maintaining this growth mindset with continuing education makes sure that you stay up to date. You learn and apply all of the cutting-edge methods in your practice. It goes beyond meeting your certification requirements.

Lifelong learning and exercise science fosters with growth mindset. You’re constantly encouraged to seek new knowledge and new skills. This leads to personal fulfillment and professional advancement.

Conclusion

Continuing education in exercise science is a requirement. You need to maintain your certifications for success. It also makes sure that you learn the latest research and techniques. This means you can provide the highest quality of care and guidance to your clients. This focus on lifelong learning also promotes adaptability. You can stay competitive in a field that’s constantly changing.

Investing into education is never a bad idea. It opens new doors to new opportunities. You make sure that your personal growth continues and your profession in the exercise sciences is a success.

Explore all of the education courses in your field. Look into attending upcoming workshops and joining professional associations to expand your knowledge and network. It’s not just about learning but about connecting with a community of like-minded professionals.