Beat It Trainer

About the Beat It Trainer Program

Beat It Trainer is an evidence-based online program designed for exercise professionals so they can develop the skills and knowledge necessary to deliver safe and effective group-based physical activity and lifestyle programs. These programs are for participants who may be overweight or obese, and living with or are at risk of diabetes and other lifestyle-related chronic conditions.

The course is a two part education program suitable for:

• Accredited Exercise Physiologists
• Exercise Scientists
• Certificate IV Personal Trainers
• Physiotherapists

Beat It Trainer has been accredited for 19 total CPD points by ESSA and 18 AUSactive (formally Fitness Australia) CEC’s (part 1 =10 and part 2 = 8).

Part 1: Diabetes and Exercise online course (12 hours at your own pace)

The Diabetes and Exercise learning program provides exercise professionals with extensive knowledge of how to ensure exercise prescription is safe and effective for people living with diabetes and other lifestyle-related chronic conditions.The course has 13 modules, with 4 assessments. You will be enrolled online and can complete it at your own pace.

This online course is accredited for 11 CPD points from ESSA and 10 AUSactive (formally Fitness Australia) CEC’s.

Part 2: Beat It Trainer Face-to-Face training  (1 day)

*IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ*

Beat It face-to-face training days are currently being held online via Zoom.

The next training session has yet to be confirmed. Please email us at email@diabetesqualified.com.au if you would like to be notified once the next date has been confirmed.

Please note – enrolling in the course does not automatically book you in to the face-to-face training. This is a second step once you have enrolled and is subject to availability. Please email us at email@diabetesqualified.com.au if you have any queries about this process.

Beat It Trainer is a face to face interactive training day that provides you with all the materials, content and support to initiate and run Beat It group physical activity programs. The training will cover:

• Diabetes and the Beat It program
• New technology
• Latest research
• Consultations and exercise assessments
• Programming
• Practical case studies

On successful completion, you will be a registered Beat It Trainer and have access to prospective clients, ongoing support and resources from Diabetes Qualified.

The key learning objectives for Part 1: Diabetes & Exercise online course and Part 2: Beat It Trainer Face-to-Face Facilitator day are outlined below.

Key learning objectives – Part 1: Diabetes & Exercise

Module 1: Introduction

• Recognise the importance of diabetes education and why diabetes is a significant health problem in Australia.
• Understand the link between diabetes and physical activity as a modifiable risk factor and a tool to manage diabetes.

Module 2: Exercise guidelines

• Identify and describe the physiological effects and benefits that exercise has on chronic disease management, control and prevention.
• Describe physical activity recommendations relating to aerobic activity, resistance training and weight loss.
• Describe the Australian Guidelines for Physical Activity.

Module 3: Risk factors for diabetes

• Name the modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes and how to delay the onset.
• Recall how to identify people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
• Describe the AUSDRISK tool and how to use it.
• Understand the key components of successful lifestyle modification programs in preventing diabetes.

Module 4: Understanding diabetes

• Describe the three types of diabetes and the key signs and symptoms.
• Describe normal glucose metabolism.
• Discuss the prevalence, cause, prevention, presentation and management of type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.

Module 5: Living with diabetes

• Describe the ways in which diabetes can be managed.
• Recall how physical activity can prevent/delay type 2 diabetes as well as diabetes-related complications.
• Describe the benefits of blood glucose monitoring for people living with diabetes.
• Recall what target blood glucose levels are for type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
• Describe hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia.
• Discuss key factors that affect blood glucose levels, useful times to test blood glucose levels and what an HbA1c test is used for.
• Describe the recommendations by the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, including the plate model.
• Describe the glycemic index (GI) and give examples of low and high GI foods.
• Recall the impact alcohol has on diabetes management and weight management, and what the NHMRC low risk drinking guidelines are.
• Recognise why a person would need medication to manage their diabetes and describe the difference between insulin and other diabetes medications.
• Recognise why a person with or at risk of diabetes may be at risk of mental health problems such as diabetes distress (or burnout), anxiety or depression.
• Describe the ways diabetes-related complications can be prevented.
• Describe the tests and reviews involved in the Annual Cycle of Care.

Module 6: Diabetes and Exercise

• Understand the benefits of aerobic, resistance and other types of physical activity for the person with diabetes.
• Explain the relationship between blood glucose levels & different types of physical activity, specifically aerobic, resistance and High intensity interval training (HIIT).
• List common variables affecting the blood glucose response to exercise and identify safe blood glucose ranges for exercise and detail the risks of commencing exercise outside of these ranges.
• Outline the extra precautions that need to be considered during a pre-screening assessment for the person with diabetes.

Module 7: Acute complications and exercise

• Describe hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia, who’s at risk, and signs and symptoms.
• Describe the strategies and action and emergency plans for mild, moderate and severe hypo and hyperglycaemia.

Module 8: Hypertension, dyslipidaemia and exercise

• Describe how hypertension and dyslipidaemia can contribute to the development of diabetes-related
  complications.
• Describe the exercise guidelines, benefits, considerations and precautions for a person with dyslipidaemia and/or
  mild, moderate or severe hypertension.

Module 9: Microvascular complications and exercise

• Describe chronic microvascular complications for diabetes including retinopathy, nephropathy, peripheral neuropathy and autonomic neuropathy.
• Discuss exercise guidelines, precautions and considerations for each of these chronic microvascular complications.

Module 10: Macrovascular complications and exercise

• Describe the chronic macrovascular complications of diabetes, including; cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease.
• Discuss exercise guidelines, precautions and considerations for each of these chronic macrovascular complications.

Module 11: Musculoskeletal conditions and exercise

• Identify the differences between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Describe exercise guidelines and considerations for people with the following conditions to do with the hands, feet, shoulder and spine, including; diabetes cheiroarthropathy, Dupuytren’s contracture, flexor tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrom, Charcot’s foot, adhesive capsulitis and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH).

Module 12: Talking the talk

• Describe the type of language used to engage and support people living with diabetes and how the use of positive words can foster patient-client relationships.

Module 13: Putting it into practice

• Have a supportive conversation with a person living with or at risk of diabetes (and other complications) and create a safe and effective Exercise Plan with that person.

Key learning objectives – Part 2: Beat It Trainer Face-to-Face Facilitator Day

Module 1: Introduction to Beat It

• Understand the current burden of chronic disease in Australia and the impact diabetes has.
• Be able to detail the aims and objectives of a BEAT IT program as well as list the conditions/complications that are and are not suitable for a BEAT IT program.
• Understand the requirements of a Beat It Trainer relating to professionalism, security, safety, ethics and insurance.

Module 2: Exercise guidelines for chronic disease

• Identify and describe the physiological effects and benefits that exercise has on chronic disease management, control and prevention.
• Describe the physical activity recommendations relating to aerobic activity, resistance training and weight loss.

Module 3: Diabetes – acute complications, associated musculoskeletal conditions and exercise considerations

• Define diabetes and explain the role of insulin.
• Name and differentiate between the main types of diabetes.
• Outline the diagnostic criteria for pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes as well as identify the major complications associated with diabetes.
• Recognise the benefits of exercising for people with diabetes.
• Outline the general considerations for a person with diabetes.
• Outline the possible causes and consequences of hypoglycaemia & hyperglycaemia.
• Recognise ways that hypoglycaemia can be prevented.
• Name and recognise the signs and symptoms of hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia, Diabetes Ketoacidosis and Hyperglycaemic Hyperosmolar State (HSS).
• Implement action plans to manage all of these acute conditions associated with diabetes.
• Define several diabetes related musculoskeletal conditions;
  • Adhesive capsulitis or ‘frozen shoulder’
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Limited joint mobility (diabetic cheiroarthopathy)
  • Dupuytren’s contracture
  • Flexor tenosynovitis or “trigger finger”
  • Diabetic osteoarthropathy or “Charcot’s disease”
  • Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis or “Forestier’s disease”
• State the characteristics of each of the above conditions.
• Identify possible exercise considerations associated with each of the above
  conditions.

Module 4: Exercise and diabetes

• Recognise and implement exercise guidelines for someone with or at risk of diabetes.
• Name and differentiate between the main types of diabetes medications.
• Explain the impact of exercise on diabetes, with regards to blood glucose levels, insulin
  sensitivity and medication.
• Identify exercise considerations for exercising a client with diabetes.
• Identify exercise considerations for exercising a client on insulin.
• Recognise tips for managing blood glucose levels.
• Explain and implement strategies for when the client needs to avoid exercise.
• Recognise the scope of practice stipulated by each professional organisation.

Module 5: Cardiovascular disease (CVD)

• Explain cardiovascular disease and how atherosclerosis occurs.
• Identify risk factors for the development of CVD.
• Recognise the benefits of exercising for people with CVD.
• Explain coronary artery disease, angina and heart attack.
• Name and recognise the signs & symptoms of angina and heart attack and be able to implement the appropriate action plan.
• Explain the benefits and recommendations regarding exercising for someone who has stable angina
• Describe the contraindicator’s and risks for exercise in people with CVD.
• Explain how a stroke occurs and detail the two different kinds of stroke. Name the signs of a stroke.
• Describe what a TIA is and recognise TIA’s importance as a risk factor for stroke.
• Explain what the FAST test is, when you would use it and why.
• Describe the benefits and recommendations regarding exercise for those at risk of
  stroke and people who has survived a stroke.
• Explain the definition of hypertension and differentiate between systolic and diastolic blood pressure values that
  would classify someone as having mild, moderate and severe hypertension.
• Describe the benefits and recommendations regarding exercise for someone with hypertension.
• Explain dyslipidaemia and the important blood cholesterol factors and causes or risk factors for dyslipidaemia.
• Describe the benefits of exercise for someone with dyslipidaemia.

Module 6: Chronic musculoskeletal conditions

• Identify the causes, risk factors and symptoms of different musculoskeletal conditions.
• Outline basic treatment options for the different musculoskeletal conditions.
• Identify possible exercise considerations associated with each of the conditions.

Module 7: Nutrition for chronic disease and physical activity

• Outline the Dietary Guidelines for Australian Adults and recount the guidelines for alcohol consumption.
• Outline how carbohydrates affect blood glucose levels and list examples of carbohydrate foods.
• Outline why low carbohydrate diets are not recommended.
• Identify factors that will impact the need for, and amount of carbohydrates.
• Appropriately address the myth that sugar is not allowed for people with diabetes.
• Explain the concept of glycaemic index (GI), list the benefits of GI and provide examples of lower GI foods
• List the benefits of fibre and give examples of high fibre food sources.
• Explain the impact of dietary fat on body weight and risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease.
• Outline the different types of fat and identify healthier dietary fats.
• Recount the general guidelines for protein intake.
• Identify suitable fluid types and amounts for physical activity.
• Identify which health professional is most qualified to give dietary advice and know how to locate them.

Module 8: Initial consultation

• Explain the need for medical clearance and appropriate pre exercise screening for
  the client with a chronic disease.
• Outline the key components of a pre exercise screening and risk assessment.
• Identify when medical clearance is needed for someone to take part in a Beat It program.
• Recognise those who ARE suitable and who are NOT suitable to take part in a Beat
  It Program following pre screening.
• Perform a typical Beat It pre-screening session.
• Define Chronic Disease Self-Management (CDSM) and define key characteristics and advantages of the CDSM approach.
• Describe key characteristics of a chronic disease self-manager.
• Define Motivational Interviewing (MI) and name and outline the four principles of MI.
• Correctly identify examples of each of these principles in a theoretical context and apply them to a practical situation.
• Name and outline the four core skills of MI and correctly identify examples of these skills in a theoretical context and be able to apply them to a practical situation.
• Identify and utilise a variety of tools and techniques that may assist in the behaviour change process.
• Discuss the SMART principle and its application to goal setting.
• Conduct a basic Motivational Interview.
• Detail the components and conduct a Beat It Initial Consultation.

Module 9: Initial and final program assessments

• Outline simple exercise testing protocols suitable for clients with known or suspected diabetes and other chronic disease.
• Conduct an exercise testing session for a person with or at risk of diabetes and chronic disease following Beat It testing protocol.
• Identify at what points during a Beat It program assessments take place.

Module 10: Programming

• Describe and demonstrate versatility of different exercise equipment.
• Develop and demonstrate exercise alternatives with limited equipment.
• Perform basic group exercise classes with limited equipment.
• Prescribe home-based exercise program with minimal or no exercise equipment.
• Detail the aims, structure and components of the Beat It physical activity sessions.
• Plan and implement the physical activity sessions for a 12-week Beat It program.
• Detail the aims of the Beat It Education Presentations.
• Plan and deliver the education presentations as part of a Beat It program.

Module 11: Bringing it all together

• Detail the benefits of holding a Beat It Information and Registration Day and be
  able to implement one.
• Understand the things to consider when setting up your Beat It program.
• Identify ways in which the Beat It program can be promoted within the local community and implement these.
• Understand the reporting requirements for the Beat It program including what
  compulsory documents need to be sent to Diabetes NSW & ACT and the timeframes in which these are required.