Beat It Trainer

“PLEASE NOTE: Enrolment and completion of the Beat It Trainer course DOES NOT automatically qualify you to deliver NDSS-funded Beat It programs. Delivery of NDSS-funded programs is subject to availability and an application process. Further information can be found under the ‘Funded Program Opportunities’ section.”

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 sessions will be held on:

• Tuesday 5th December 2023
• Tuesday 5th March 2024

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 support@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.

Funded Program Opportunities

Join the Beat It Team

We are looking for like-minded exercise professionals who are passionate about improving the quality of life for those living with diabetes in their local community.

Click here for more information

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

• Recognize 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 Diabetes

• Overview of diabetes facts and statistics.
• Provide overview of health literacy levels in Australia and how best to overcome barriers this presents.
• Define diabetes.
• Name and differentiate between the main types of diabetes.
• Identify risk factors for the development of the main types of diabetes.
• Identify the main macro and microvascular complications associated with diabetes.

Module 2: Exercise and Diabetes

• Understand the aim of exercise and its impact for any person with diabetes.
• Understand the scope of practice with exercising people with diabetes with complications.
• Understand the research associated with various forms of physical activity and its impact on glycemic control and diabetes management.
• Identify the acute effects of exercise on insulin and glucose in the body.
• Describe “Transient Hyperglycaemia”.
• Recognize the blood glucose level range prior to exercise for type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
• Understand the role and relevance of self-monitoring blood glucose levels during exercise to understand fluctuations and prevent glycemic events.
• Understand and recognize exercise considerations for someone on insulin or oral hypoglycaemic agents.
• Understand the effect of various modalities and sequences of exercise on blood glucose levels.
• List strategies to manage blood glucose levels during exercise or when to avoid exercise if on insulin or oral hypoglycaemic agents.
• Recognise the roles of each health care professional required as part of the diabetes cycle of care team, and their scope of practice.
• Apply critical thinking and knowledge to diabetes case studies within a group to revise all concepts learnt.

Module 3: Medications and Hypoglycaemia

• Recognise the different medications for diabetes management and their impact on exercise.
• Recognise the signs and symptoms of hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia.
• Understand “Exercise related Hypoglycaemia” and recognise how to prevent it.
• Implement and understand the mild and severe hypo action plan into exercise programs.
• Recognise ways delayed onset Hypoglycaemia can be prevented.
• Understand and recognise exercise considerations for someone on insulin or oral hypoglycaemic agents.
• List strategies to manage blood glucose levels during exercise or when to avoid exercise if on insulin or oral hypoglycaemic agents.

Module 4: Technology

• Outline the main aims of Self-Blood Glucose Monitoring (SBGM).
• Understand the correct procedure for participant’s testing their blood glucose levels.
• Identify when it is important to test blood glucose levels in the context of exercise and safety.
• Explain the difference between SBGM and Glycosylated Haemoglobin (HbA1c).
• Understand what Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) can do for someone with diabetes.
• Identify flash monitoring, the Freestyle Libre and its role in blood glucose testing and its pre-requisites.
• Recognize and outline the impact that Motion tracking devices have on the individual.

Module 5: Bringing It All Together

• Understand the roles of Diabetes Australia and the National Diabetes Services Scheme.
• Overview of Program Aims and Objectives, Scope and Eligibility, Trainer Requirements.
• Understand the different Beat It program delivery models
  • Private program model
  • NDSS funded subcontractor initiative
• Understand the considerations when setting up your Beat It program including venue selection and WHS guidelines.
• Understand the Beat It program structure.
• Identify potential methods of marketing your Beat It program/s and supporting resources.
• Overview of latest Beat It research outcomes.
• Overview of program reporting and evaluation requirements.

Module 6: : Person-centered Facilitation and Beat It Education Sessions

• Detail the aims of the Beat It education sessions
• Identify what a person-centred approach is, what a person-centred session looks like and how it differs from the old approach.
• Identify the difference between didactical vs non-didactical style of learning.
• Recognize why the Beat It education sessions have changed to a person-centered approach.
• Recognize their new role as a facilitator and how it differs from their old role.

Module 7: Consultations and Assessments

• Explain the need for medical clearance and appropriate pre-exercise screening for the client with a chronic disease.
• Outline the key components of the Beat It pre-exercise screening and risk assessment.
• Identify when medical clearance is needed for someone to take part in a Beat It program.
• Recognize 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
• Detail the components of a Beat It Initial and Final Consultation.
• 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 8: Exercise 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 and structure of the Beat It physical activity sessions.
• Identify the components of a Beat It physical activity session.