Community Programmers

CONTENTS

Implementation of Osteofit at your facility

This safe, effective and medically endorsed program is recognized for its innovative program design. Based on published research, Osteofit continues to be the leader in falls prevention programs. Osteofit can easily be implemented in your facility.

Program format

Osteofit is a trademarked program and must be delivered according to the format and curriculum provided by BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre (BC Women's).

To maintain the quality of the program, we recommend a low instructor-participant ratio.

Osteofit brochures and posters will be made available to facilities for distribution.

Your local Osteofit Regional Coordinator will provide support and liaise between your facility and BC Women's.

Instructors

BC Women's Osteofit will assist the facility in finding an Osteofit instructor. We will post your request for an instructor on our website.

Only registered Osteofit instructors can teach the Osteofit classes. Osteofit instructors are required to re-register every two years.

Instructors are hired according to the facility's existing employment rates and contracts.

Program Fees

Fees are set and collected from participants according to rates determined by the facility.

Responsibilities of your facility

Your facility will be required to provide:

  • suitable straight-backed chairs, exercise bands or resistance tubing, hand-held weights, and floor mats. Balls, foam blocks, bean bags, and balloons may be required at the discretion of the instructor.
  • photocopies of handouts for participants.
  • complete 'Facility Reports' during each season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall.

Promotion of programs is the responsibility of the facility, however, BC Women's will list facilities offering Osteofit on the Osteofit website and distribute this list to Health Care professionals in the community.

Contact us for more information.

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Instructors

Osteofit programs are taught by British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA) registered Osteofit instructors. To qualify for registration, each instructor must be registered as a BCRPA Fitness Leader with Third Age designation, have completed the Osteofit Instructor Training Course, passed the Osteofit exam, and successfully passed an Osteofit Instructor Competency Evaluation (O-ICE). Instructors are required to maintain certification with professional development workshops.

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Osteofit Instructor Registration Program

BC Women's is responsible for developing the Osteofit Instructor Training Course curriculum, course design, course faculty, and manual. It has also established Instructor Scope of Practice and Performance Standards. To register as an Osteofit instructor, evaluator, or trainer, an applicant must take the appropriate training courses. For example, BC Women's Osteoporosis Program has designed a 14-hour Instructor Training Course.

Osteofit Instructors are registered through British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA). The BCRPA Fitness Registration Program is a recognized means of gauging expertise, qualifications, and abilities. Successful candidates are recognized as educated, well-trained individuals capable of providing a high quality of service.

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Osteofit Instructor registration requirements

  • BCRPA registration in Group Fitness, Weight Training, or Personal Training
  • BCRPA Third Age designation
  • Osteofit Instructor Training Course
  • Osteofit written exam (70% required to pass)
  • Osteofit Instructor Competency Evaluation (ICE)
  • First Aid (valid for two years) and CPR (valid for one year)
  • There is no additional cost to register as an Osteofit instructor, your BCRPA fitness registration will include Osteofit designation provided all requirements have been met.

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Registration renewal requirements

Osteofit Instructors are required to renew their registration every 2 years. The requirements are:

  • Current BCRPA fitness registration in Group Fitness, Weight Training, or Personal Training
  • BCRPA Third Age designation
  • 4 Continuing Education Credits (CEC's) in older adult workshops
  • Osteofit ICE every three years
  • First Aid (valid for two years) and CPR (valid for one year)

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Osteofit Instructor training course

The BC Women's Osteofit Instructor Training Course has the following objectives. After completing Day One, the instructor will have learned about osteoporosis, various therapies and challenges facing the person with this condition, and ways to adapt classes/weight training sessions so that they are safe yet effective. Instructors will also learn about the benefits of physical activity for people with osteoporosis, how Osteofit works with the medical and fitness community, networking, and monitoring individual progress.

After completing Day Two, the instructor will have the theoretical knowledge to deliver the BC Women's Osteofit Program.

The Osteofit manual, instructor training curriculum, and program of exercises are based on the latest research on osteoporosis and have been developed by BC Women's Osteoporosis Program in consultation with osteoporosis clinical specialists.

The curriculum includes:

  • Role of BC Women's Osteoporosis Program
  • Introduction to Osteoporosis
  • Management of Osteoporosis
  • Basic Nutrition for Healthy Bones
  • Principles of Training
  • Exercise Analysis
  • Contraindicated Exercises
  • Osteofit Program Design
  • Networking with Health Care Services

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