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Water Fitness Trainer Certification (WFT)

Interest in aquatic exercise has grown from obscurity to millions of participants in just the past few years. One of the reasons for the start of this trend is the aging of our population. Water is seen as a gentler medium for seniors and physical therapy patients alike. But aquatic fitness has proven to have uses for elite athletes and fitness enthusiasts of all ages.

The key to reaping the rewards of this exciting personal training specialty is certification. In fact, water fitness certification is already required in several states, and many fitness clubs, public and private pools. Physical therapy clinics nationwide have already made aquatic certification a requirement for employment.

Your course materials will also include your Home Study Section Quizzes. Once you have submitted at least 66% of your course quizzes, you will be sent your official Home Study final examination. You may also choose to complete your Section Quizzes online, if you would prefer. Should you choose to complete your quizzes online, once you have submitted at least 66% of them, you will be sent your official final examination.

Included in the Water Fitness Trainer (WFT) Course

The ISSA's water fitness 416 page course delves into aqua training technology, limitations of water exercise, as well as clinical & sports medicine applications for water training, directing an aqua aerobics class, and water fitness client pre-screening protocol.

20 Years of Personal Training Certification

Since 1988, the ISSA has certified and provided continuing fitness education to nearly 100,000 people just like you who want to help others feel better, look better and improve the quality of their lives.

We are unconditionally committed to providing expanded access to the highest quality personal training certification and continuing fitness education programs available, advancing our industry as a whole, and developing greater access to career opportunities for those who share our vision of Creating a Stronger, Healthier World™.

Try our Career Calculator to calculate how much extra money you could earn this year by turning your passion for fitness into profit as a personal trainer with just a few clients a week.

ISSA Water Fitness Trainer Study Options

It all starts with home study materials. Our course is self-paced, so you can take as much or as little time as you need to complete it, up to two years. The home study materials you receive are all that is necessary to pass your exam. We also provide one-on-one toll-free phone support Monday through Friday to our students at no additional charge.

Enhance Your Studies With Online Learning

We also provide the ability to enhance your home studies with online learning at no additional charge. ISSAtrainer.com, our exclusive members-only site, includes interactive quizzes, online educational support, as well as audio muscle and supplement glossaries (so that you know how to pronounce the new terms you learn) and a video exercise library that demonstrates proper form for some of the most common and most effective strength exercises.

You receive the home study materials, section quizzes, and online access when you enroll in ISSA.

Your certification exam is open book and untimed. We will mail your final exam once you have completed/submitted at least 66% of your course quizzes. You may choose to complete your Section Quizzes either online or via mail--whichever direction works best for you.

ISSA Water Fitness Trainer Certification Exam

Your final examination consists of two sections:

• SECTION I: The first part of your Water Fitness Trainer Examination is worth 100 points and consists of 50 multiple choice questions
• SECTION II: The second part of your Examination is worth 100 points and consists of 50 true/false questions

How long does it take to complete the certification?

You have up to two years from the date of enrollment to complete your course. However, you may complete the course as quickly or as slowly as you would like within that 2 year period.

Help us Create a Stronger, Healthier World.™

Enroll Online or call us toll free at 800-892-4772 to speak with one of our enrollment representatives.

Student Support

We are most proud of the fact that ISSA's personal training course offerings do not just begin and end with a book and a piece of paper. While we are committed to providing top-quality course materials to potential fitness trainers, our course offerings do not stop there.

We also provide unlimited one-on-one support to all ISSA students as they study for their personal training certification exam—both online and LIVE via our toll-free help line—at no additional cost.

But, best of all, the ISSA's support doesn't end once you pass your exam. Included with your course fee is unlimited access to our ISSAtrainer.com web site, where you can access hundreds of job listings, ISSA exclusive opportunities and discounts, and our online forum where you can post client or business challenges and receive guidance from members of the ISSA family worldwide.

And access to this site is available for as long as you remain an ISSA personal trainer in good standing.

Water Fitness Trainer: Table of Contents

ISSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

INTRODUCTION

UNIT ONE: Basic Anatomy & Physiology and The Training Effect

• Introduction to Aquatic Exercise
• Lungs
• The Blood
• The Tissue
• The Digestive System
• The Muscular System
• The Heart The Nervous System
• Your Hormones
• Muscle Growth & Hormone Regulation
• Sleep Requirements
• Psychological Effect
• Unit One Study Guide

UNIT TWO: Muscle Anatomy & Physiology

• Introduction
• Bones
• Joints
• The Nervous System
• Muscles
• Muscle Physiology
• Muscle Energetics
• Basic Water Physiology
• Unit Two Study Guide

UNIT THREE: Basic Kinesiology & Biomechanics

• Introduction
• Fundamental Movements of Major Body Segments
• Major Muscle Groups Used in the Water
• Movement Planes and Axes
• Joints
• Muscles
• Musculoskeletal Movement
• Mechanical Advantage and Physiological Advantage
• The Role of Muscles During Movement
• Initiating and Sustaining Movement
• The Principle of Levers in Water Medium
• Newton's Laws of Motion
• Force, Torque & Acceleration
• Aqua Movement & Physics
• The Physics of Water Movement
• Unit Three Study Guide

UNIT FOUR: Strength Theory

• What is Strength
• Are There Different Kinds of Strength
• Traditional Strength Classifications
• The Laws of Strength
• Categories of Strength
• Water Strength Theory
• Factors Affecting Strength
• What Strength Looks Like
• Synchronized Resistance
• Unit Four Study Guide

UNIT FIVE: Fitness Theory

• What is Fitness
• Components of Fitness and Training Guidelines for Each Technology
• How Stressed are You
• Body Composition Assessment
• Testing Your Aerobic Fitness
• Testing Your Limit Strength
• Other Tests
• Fitness Training Considerations
• Warm-ups
• Safety
• Breathing In and Out of the Water
• Cooldowns
• Principles of Fitness Training
• The FITT Principle
• The Five R's Principles
• Advanced Principles
• Getting the Most out of Hydro Resistance Equipment
• Determining Reps and Duration for Maximum Anaerobic Effect
• Unit Five Study Guide

UNIT SIX: Basic Fitness Nutrition Theory

• Fad Diets
• Nutritional Myths and Misconceptions
• What is Good Sports Nutrition?
• Scheduling of Meals
• What to Eat
• Carbohydrates
• Fiber
• Protein
• How to Estimate Protein Requirements
• Fats
• Food Labeling
• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Water: Its Dietary Importance
• Dieting and Supplement Schedules
• Eating for Aerobic Activity
• Eating for Anaerobic Activity
• Eating for Stamina & Strength
• Some Suggestions for Good Eating
• Estimating Daily Calorie Needs
• A Typical Day's Fare for an Athlete
• Dieting for Weight / Fat Loss
• Recommended Foods for Gaining Muscle / Losing Fat
• Factors Contributing to Obesity
• Before Dieting, Make Sure You're Ready
• Why Weight Loss Diets Fail
• The Zigzag Method of Fat Loss
• Dieting For Weight Gain
• Dieting to Control Blood Sugar Levels
• Troubleshooting Dietary Deficiencies
• Rehydration Drinks
• To Supplement or Not to Supplement
• Modern Nutritional Robbery
• The ABC's of Supplementation
• Protein Powder Blends
• Guide to Amino Acids
• Evaluating Nutritional Supplements
• Substances to Look out for
• The Effects of Alcohol
• The Effects of Nicotine
• The Effects of Caffeine
• Other Drugs
• ISSA Personalized Training and Nutritional System
• Unit Six Study Guide

UNIT SEVEN: Benefits Of Aqua Training

• Psychological
• Individual Goals
• Relaxation Aspects
• Time Efficiency
• Cardiovascular Training in Water
• Unit Seven Study Guide

UNIT EIGHT: Sports & Fitness Exercises

• Water Progressive Resistance Principles
• Three-Dimensional Resistance
• Basic Water Movements—Warmup
• Upper Body Movements
• Lower Body Movements
• Torso Exercise
• Athletic Section
• Exercise Direction
• Progression / Plateau / Periodization Training
• Some Typical Water Workouts
• Unit Eight Study Guide

UNIT NINE: Flexibility Development

• Flexibility Defined
• Anatomical and Physiological Basis of Stretching
• Assessing Range of Motion
• Constraining Factors
• Inflexibility and Injury Potential
• Specificity and Flexibility
• Programming and Periodicity of Stretching
• Methods of Increasing Joint Flexibility
• Examples of CR and CA Stretching Methods
• Flexibility Exercises Descriptions
• Unit Nine Study Guide

UNIT TEN: Aqua Training Technology

• Water Resistance Devises
• Advantages of Three-Dimensional Resistance Training
• The Limitations of Water Exercise
• Items of Concern Using Water as Exercise
• ISSA Water Training Philosophy
• Deep Water Exercises—Designing Your Deep Water Program
• Special Training Devices & Equipment
• Unit Ten Study Guide

UNIT ELEVEN: Your First Meeting With A New Client

• Enthusiasm
• How to Become Enthusiastic
• Directing an Aqua Class
• Pre-Participation Client Screening
• Par Q Test
• Informed Consent, Released, Waiver, etc.
• Sample Forms
• Determining Your Client's Tolerance to Exercise
• Points to Becoming a Successful Instructor
• Exercise Programming
• Unit Eleven Study Guide

UNIT TWELVE: Exercise Programming For Special Populations

• Introduction
• What Constitutes a Special Population
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Arthritis
• Senior Exercise
• Cardiac Rehabilitation
• Hyperlipidemia
• Youth Exercise
• Osteoporosis
• End Stage Renal Disease
• Cancer
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Asthma
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Summary
• Unit Twelve Study Guide

UNIT THIRTEEN: Special Topics In Aqua Fitness Training

• Aging
• Water Exercise and Aging
• What are Free Radicals?
• What Causes Wrinkles
• Water and Pregnancy Exercise
• Chiropractic
• Legal Issues
• Unit Thirteen Study Guide

UNIT FOURTEEN: Sports Medicine

• A Brief History of Sports Medicine
• Therapeutic Modalities Used in Sports Medicine
• Symptoms and Treatment of Minor Athletic Injuries & Illnesses
• Common Athletic Injuries
• Overuse Injuries of the Knee
• Shin Splints
• Anterior Compartment Syndrome
• Water and Injury Reduction
• Weakness, Fatigue & Exhaustion
• Dizziness, Vertigo or Loss of Consciousness
• Fever
• Cough and / or Shortness of Breath
• Generalized Bone & Joint Swelling & Pain
• Abdominal Pain, Nausea, Vomiting & Diarrhea
• Bleeding or Abnormal Bruising
• Neck Pain & Symptoms
• Shoulder Pain & Symptoms
• Elbow & Wrist Pain & Symptoms
• Hand Pain & Symptoms
• Low Back Pain & Symptoms
• Water Walking
• Hip Pain & Symptoms
• Hip, Thigh, and Buttock Injuries
• Leg Pain & Symptoms
• Knee Pain & Symptoms
• Ankle & Foot Pain & Symptoms
• Neck Exercise to Relieve Pain Caused by Stress
• Exercises for a Weak or Injured Back
• Unit Fourteen Study Guide

UNIT FIFTEEN: Clinical & Sports Medicine Applications Of Water Training

• Introduction
• Basic Medical Information
• Evaluation
• Recognize Vital Signs
• The Unconscious Aquaciser
• CPR
• Physical Therapy vs. Personal Training Standpoints
• Instructor Water Certification
• Exercise and Aquatic Therapy
• Exercise Order
• Duration of Your Water Therapy Program
• The Workout Intensity
• Exercise Both Sides of the Body
• Perceived Exertion in Water
• Conditions Served
• Aquatic Exercise and Medical Rehabilitation
• Unit Fifteen Study Guide

APPENDIX A: RESOURCE SECTION

GLOSSARY

BIBLIOGRAPHY

INDEX

Water Fitness Trainer Course Authors

Charles Staley, B.Sc., MSS

Charles I. Staley, B.Sc., MSS, is a sports conditioning specialist and Vice President of Program Development for the International Sports Sciences Association. A former martial arts competitor and trainer, Staley is also an Olympic weightlifting coach, as well as a master’s level track and field competitor (discus event). He has coached elite athletes from many sports, including martial arts, boxing, track & field, football, Olympic weightlifting, and bodybuilding. Staley has written over 150 published articles, and has lectured extensively on the topics of human performance and sport training. He has recently authored a text on conditioning for the martial arts, and has several other books in the planning stages. Staley’s award-winning web site, (Fundamentals of Strength Training for Sport, located at www.myodynamics.com), is consistently ranked among the top 50 in the world in the health & fitness category.

Dr. Sal Arria, MSS, DC

Sal A. Arria, MSS, DC was the founder and director of the Santa Barbara Chiropractic and Sports Medicine Clinic from 1978 to 1996 which was one of the first sports medicine clinics in the United States to incorporate a fitness training center within the clinic. During that time, Dr. Arria personally treated nearly 20,000 patients from all over the world and served as a team doctor for numerous state, national and world championship events. From 1980 to 1985 he served the US Track and Field team and was appointed as a team doctor for the 1984 Olympic Games. For 10 years, Dr. Arria was an active member of the Sports Medicine committee for the US Powerlifting Federation and served as a team doctor for numerous national powerlifting championships and three USPF World Championships.

His personal athletic achievements include winning the California State Powerlifting championships three times and was ranked in the top three in the USA in the 220-pound and 242-pound divisions. Dr. Arria was also appointed as a Special Advisor to the California Governor¹s Council on Physical Fitness and continues to consult many Olympic and professional athletes. He has appeared on numerous national radio and television shows including CBS, CNBC, ESPN and the Family Channel. He directed the American Institute of Health Education¹s 1996 TELLY AWARD winning show The Five-Step Back Solution. Dr. Arria was also the Fitness Program Designer for Kathy Ireland¹s platinum award winning abdominal training video, ABSolutely Fit.

In 1988, Dr. Arria co-founded and has since served as the CEO of the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA), the first organization to certify personal fitness trainers. Since that time, the ISSA has certified 100,000 personal trainers worldwide.

In 2003, Dr. Arria was a founding member of the National Board of Fitness Examiners (NBFE), a not-for-profit organization which is responsible for defining scopes of practice, standards and national board examinations for personal fitness professionals. In 2004, Dr. Arria was elected President of the NBFE by the Board of Trustees.

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