Lungs in Action is a community exercise program helping people with chronic lung and heart disease to live their best life.
Join the Community!
The Lungs in Action Full Instructor Training provides exercise professionals with the knowledge and skills required to deliver the Lungs in Action program in the community. Instructors are trained to provide safe, exercise maintenance classes in local facilities such as community halls, fitness studios, gyms, and university clinics. This training option combines the Lungs in Action Theory Training with The Lungs in Action Practical Training.
Learning objectives
By the end of this training participants will be able to:
- Describe the pathophysiology of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and other lung and heart conditions, including heart failure
- Describe and distinguish key components of exercise programming prescription for those people with chronic lung and heart disease, including heart failure
- Create and modify exercise prescription to suit individual needs of class participants
- Implement appropriate safety precautions and risk management protocols for exercising a person with chronic lung or heart conditions.
- Demonstrate vital practical skills in managing a breathless client
- Utilise skills and knowledge to competently instruct a Lungs in Action class.
Training content
Online component
The pulmonary modules include:
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- The respiratory system
- COPD
- Other conditions
- Breathlessness
- Exercise limitations
- Program design exercises
- Designing your Lungs in Action class
- Other considerations
- Frequently asked questions
The cardiac training modules include:
Part 1:
- Anatomy of the heart
- Coronary artery disease and management
- Valvular heart disease and management
- Arrhythmias and management
- Heart failure and management
- Cardiac investigations
Part 2:
- Limitations and benefits of exercise
- Safety precautions
- Case studies
- Exercise intensity and considerations,
- Typical 1 hour exercise plan
Practical component
As part of the practical component, a mentor from a local pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation program will be arranged. This reciprocal relationship facilitates clinical support, increased community credibility as a provider of Lungs in Action, and initiates referrals from their pulmonary or cardiac rehabilitation program.
The practical requirements include:
- Attend 2 x pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation classes.
- Completion of core competency checklist: 1 x pulmonary rehabilitation checklist and 1 x cardiac rehabilitation checklist
- Written assignment: develop a class based on a sample list of participants
- Practical assessment: implement a Lungs in Action class
Eligibility
Before enrolling in this course, you need to provide a copy of your CV to demonstrate you meet our eligibility criteria to become an Instructor. Our Lungs in Action team will meet with you to talk through the training process and answer any questions you may have.
The eligibility criteria includes:
- Obtain a mentor from the local pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation program – our Pulmonary Exercise Manager can assist in connecting you with your local rehabilitation program. Policies and procedures differ between locations, it your responsibility to ensure you meet the requirements of the specific hospital and health service you will be attending prior to enrolment. This may include immunisation status and criminal history checks.
- Be a physiotherapist or an Accredited Exercise Physiologist.
- Non-accredited Exercise Physiologists or Exercise Scientists need to have at least 1 year’s exercise prescription experience.
- Personal Trainers and Fitness Instructors need to hold a Certificate IV in Fitness with older adult competency with and a minimum of 2 years exercise prescription experience.
- Allied health assistants, nurses, occupational therapists and other health professionals who are interested in the Lungs in Action are encouraged to contact the Pulmonary Exercise Manager to determine eligibility – freecall 1800 654 301..
- All applicants must hold their own professional indemnity insurance.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
RPL may be available for Physiotherapists and Exercise Physiologists who can demonstrate experience working within pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation programs. Note: successful RPL covers the practical component of the training only.
Continuing Professional Development
The Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) Professional Development Committee certifies that this professional development offering meets the criteria for 23 continuing professional development (CPD) points.
Fitness Australia have approved the educational content delivered throughout this course and meets the criteria for 18 CEC’s.
